PM Tarique intelligent person, India visit decision depends on him: Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi today (2 September) said the decision on whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India depends entirely on the prime minister himself.

"It completely depends on the prime minister. He is a very intelligent person and a leader of the people. So, I think it should be left to the prime minister," Trivedi said when asked whether a favourable environment had been created for Tarique's visit.

The envoy made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after paying a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the parliament complex.

Speaking about Bangladesh-India relations, Trivedi said there was no doubt that both countries would do what was necessary to maintain their friendly ties.

He also said the intentions of both countries were centred on their people.

"When it is people-centric, whatever has to happen will happen," the Indian high commissioner said.

Asked whether Bangladesh and India were holding discussions over the prime minister's proposed visit to India, Trivedi said discussions never end in a democracy.

"If discussions come to an end, then it is not democracy. Discussions are like a flowing river," he said.

Drawing an analogy with the Ganges and Padma rivers, he said discussions, like the flow of a river, continue and do not stop at any particular point.

Likewise, discussions would continue as part of the democratic process, he said.

"I am hopeful, confident. This is the process of democracy, and this process will continue forever," Trivedi said.

The Indian high commissioner also said invitations had been extended to the speaker and deputy speaker to visit India.