NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India to be “memorable”, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said, as uncertainty continues over the trip amid fresh strains in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Tuesday for Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation, Trivedi said PM Modi had emphasised the need for the two leaders to meet and assured Rahman of an appropriate welcome.“Prime Minister Modi just mentioned one thing. We need to meet. And you can tell them on my behalf that you have the prime minister of India’s assurance that when the honourable prime minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” Trivedi said, as quoted by news agency PTI.He added that PM Modi wanted Rahman’s visit to be “memorable”, stressing that closer engagement between the two leaders would ultimately benefit people and businesses in both countries.“Ultimately, the benefit will go to people and businesses. Business people all over the world have a big role to play in bridging this gap,” Trivedi said.
India calls for trust, dialogue amid strains
Trivedi’s remarks come amid uncertainty over Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi for the Brics summit on September 12-13 and a possible bilateral meeting with PM Modi.The proposed visit has become complicated by Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since she was ousted in August 2024 following violent student-led protests.Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition after she was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in November 2025 over alleged “crimes against humanity” during the crackdown on protesters.India has said the extradition request is being examined in accordance with applicable law and established legal procedures.Dhaka has also recently objected to a virtual media interaction by Hasina from New Delhi on August 5, saying it hurt the sentiments of Bangladeshis and could affect efforts to improve bilateral ties. Ministry of external affairs has said it had no role in the event and does not endorse comments made there about the Bangladesh government.Against this backdrop, Trivedi called for both countries to address their differences while continuing to engage with each other.“I am not telling that you forget the past, but keep the past and sort out the differences of the past. But move on. Don’t get stagnant,” he said.He described disagreements as natural between “vibrant democracies” and said they could be addressed through dialogue and engagement.“We deeply understand the concerns of brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. Definitely, there are concerns. But this is a partnership of equals,” Trivedi said.He also stressed the importance of trust, saying, “The foundation of any long-lasting relation is mutual and unconditional trust.”
Trade and youth seen as bridge between neighbours
Trivedi highlighted India’s Neighbourhood First policy and said the two countries should build on their shared history, culture and aspirations despite recent “hiccups”.“We have shared history, we have shared culture, and this is where we need to foster,” he said.He also pointed to Bangladesh’s younger population, saying India wanted to work with the “new Bangladesh” to create greater opportunities for its youth.“This is a new Bangladesh. And this new Bangladesh has the youth. And youth has also gone through a lot of struggles and a lot of sacrifice. So, our objective obviously [is] to have peace and prosperity and the youth must get that opportunity,” he said.The envoy urged businesses in both countries to play a greater role in rebuilding confidence and expanding economic ties. A CII delegation is currently in Dhaka to explore opportunities for increased trade, investment and industrial cooperation.“We don’t only share border, we share dreams, we share aspirations and equality,” Trivedi said, underlining the importance of people-to-people ties.
Dhaka seeks ‘propitious environment’ for Rahman visit
The remarks come days after Bangladesh attached conditions to Rahman’s possible visit to India, amid pressure from domestic political groups over the unresolved Hasina extradition issue.Bangladesh’s foreign affairs spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim had said officials from the two countries had been in contact over the possibility of a bilateral visit but insisted that a “propitious environment” needed to be created.Dhaka said the August 5 media interaction by Hasina had affected that environment and called on India to act expeditiously on its extradition request.
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Indian government sources, however, have maintained that the invitation to Rahman for the Brics summit and a bilateral visit remains in place, with the timing ultimately for Dhaka to decide.The competing positions highlight the diplomatic challenge facing the two neighbours: India is signalling that it wants to keep the relationship moving forward through political and economic engagement, while Dhaka continues to press New Delhi on issues surrounding Hasina.For now, Trivedi’s message is that despite the differences, India wants Rahman’s proposed visit to go ahead on terms that allow the two sides to rebuild trust and focus on wider bilateral interests.
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