Khalilur Rahman arrives in India for three-day visit
Khalilur, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, was received at Indira Gandhi International Airport by officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in India's New Delhi today (7 April) for a three-day official visit, marking the first high-level political engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi since the BNP government assumed power.
Khalilur, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, was received at Indira Gandhi International Airport by officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs.
"Warm welcome to FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh on his arrival in New Delhi today. India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people to people relations. The visit will further bolster India-Bangladesh partnership," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
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During the visit, Khalilur is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House at 1.30pm tomorrow for wide-ranging talks in a significant initiative to repair the bilateral ties following an over 18-month period of heightened diplomatic tension.
As per an itinerary of Khalilur issued by the MEA, he is also expected to meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss trade and energy cooperation.
A meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is also likely in the evening.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained over the past 18 months, particularly following political changes in Dhaka after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took office in 2024.
The visit is being closely watched as both sides attempt to reset ties after a prolonged period of diplomatic tension.
Key issues expected to be discussed include Bangladesh's request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, renewal of the 30-year-old Ganga Waters Treaty set to expire this year, expansion of bilateral trade, and additional fuel supplies from India amid disruptions linked to the Middle-East conflict.
