Trivedi set to head India’s mission in Bangladesh

The Indian government has decided to appoint Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, former Union Minister and Barrackpore MP Dinesh Trivedi as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, the Hindustan Times reported on Sunday.

Amit Malviya, in-charge of the BJP’s National Information & Technology Department, endorsed the development by congratulating Trivedi on social media.

“Congratulations to Shri Dinesh Trivedi, senior BJP leader, former Union Minister and Barrackpore MP, for being appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh,” he wrote on X.

An Indian diplomat did not formally confirm the government’s decision but referred to Malviya’s post when asked about the report.

According to the Hindustan Times, the move is a significant development, as Trivedi would be the first political appointee in recent years to serve as India’s envoy to Bangladesh.

He is expected to replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.

The report added that while agreement will be sought from the government in Dhaka for Trivedi’s appointment, the decision to send a 75-year-old veteran politician is also being viewed as a message of accountability within India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Trivedi previously served as Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA government, when he was a member of the Trinamool Congress.

He resigned from the party on 12 February 2021 and joined the BJP on 6 March 2021.

The appointment comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are working to restore relations following a period of strain after the political transition in August 2024, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left for India.

The Hindustan Times further noted that the decision reflects a broader shift in New Delhi’s diplomatic approach, indicating that India is open to appointing political leaders as envoys to key countries, rather than reserving such postings exclusively for Indian Foreign Service officers.