Bangladesh-India ties on the mend
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to depart for New Delhi on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, in what is widely regarded as a pivotal step to rebuild bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
The visit follows a period of strained ties during the tenure of the interim government led by Prof. Dr Muhammad Yunus, when high-level engagements between the two neighbours were largely absent.
That period was marked by visa restrictions, heightened border tensions, and recurring push-in and pushback incidents along the frontier.
Officials and diplomatic observers note that Dr Khalilur Rahman’s visit aims to re-establish structured dialogue following the political transition in Dhaka.
Since the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, signals from New Delhi have indicated a willingness to re-engage.
The BNP government has emphasised that its foreign policy will be guided by a “Bangladesh First” principle.
Shortly after the BNP secured an overwhelming majority in the 13th National Election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to congratulate the new government.
In a further gesture, Om Birla, Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, underscoring India’s interest in resetting ties with the elected administration.
During his New Delhi visit, Dr Khalilur Rahman will hold meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, as well as other senior officials including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Speaking to the media ahead of his departure, the Foreign Minister said:
“I am visiting India before attending the Indian Ocean Conference. During my stay in New Delhi, I will meet India’s External Affairs Minister and other key representatives.
These discussions will focus on the future of bilateral relations. We seek a normal relationship with India based on mutual respect, dignity, and shared interests.”
Sources indicate that discussions are expected to centre on rebuilding political trust, restoring regular high-level contacts, and addressing longstanding bilateral issues.
Dhaka is likely to stress the importance of a relationship grounded in mutual respect, sovereignty, and shared interests.
Several contentious matters are expected to feature in the talks, including visa restrictions affecting Bangladeshi nationals, trade limitations imposed by India on certain Bangladeshi goods, and broader concerns regarding border management and river water sharing, notably the Ganges and Teesta rivers.
While Bangladesh has resumed visa issuance for Indian nationals, visas for Bangladeshi citizens remain limited, affecting medical travel, education, and tourism. Dhaka is expected to push for a full resumption of visa services.
Beyond bilateral concerns, the visit carries an additional diplomatic dimension. Dr Khalilur Rahman is a candidate for the presidency of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session and has been actively campaigning across capitals to secure support.
India’s backing is considered significant in this context and may feature in discussions.
Indian media and policy analysts have speculated that the visit could pave the way for a future visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, while also signalling New Delhi’s interest in recalibrating its approach under the new political reality.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, has repeatedly highlighted New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh, stressing a partnership based on shared development goals and regional stability.
Observers note that while the visit may not immediately resolve all outstanding issues, it represents an important step towards rebuilding trust after a period of political strain.
Success will depend on flexibility and political will on both sides, potentially ushering in a more stable and forward-looking phase in Dhaka-Delhi relations.
The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir. Following the India visit, Dr Khalilur Rahman will attend the Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis, Mauritius.
