BD, India reaffirm commitment to deepen bilateral ties

The outgoing Indian High Commissioner to India Pranay Verma paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, was also attended by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, according to official sources.

During the discussions, Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Verma’s contributions to Bangladesh-India relations over his tenure in Dhaka and extended best wishes for his forthcoming diplomatic assignment.

Verma, in response, reiterated India’s willingness to further deepen multifaceted engagement with Bangladesh for the mutual benefit and shared prosperity of the people of both neighbouring countries.

Officials said the two sides briefly reviewed ongoing areas of cooperation, with particular emphasis on development priorities, connectivity, and regional stability.

Despite recent strains in bilateral ties, both sides underlined the importance of maintaining constructive engagement and continuity in dialogue.

Verma concluded nearly four years of service in Dhaka, having assumed office in September 2022 as the 18th High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. He has now been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.

A career diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service since 1994, Verma previously served as India’s Ambassador to Vietnam from 2019.

His diplomatic career has included postings in Hong Kong, San Francisco, Beijing, Kathmandu, Washington DC, and Hanoi, reflecting a long experience in managing complex bilateral and multilateral relations.

The Government of India has already named Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He is expected to arrive in Dhaka in mid June to formally take up his assignment.

In a separate farewell note titled Aabaar Dekha Hobe (We shall meet again), Verma reflected on his tenure in Bangladesh, describing it as both “enriching and rewarding,” marked by multiple political transitions and evolving diplomatic priorities.

He noted that he and his family would carry “indelible memories” of their time in Dhaka, highlighting the friendships and personal connections built across different sections of society.

According to him, the experience reinforced the depth of cultural, historical and linguistic ties between India and Bangladesh.

Verma emphasised that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in shared geography, traditions and a long history of engagement, including the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.

He described the bilateral relationship as one defined by “interdependencies and interlinkages,” where progress in one country contributes to the prosperity of the other.

He also called for a forward-looking agenda in bilateral relations, aligned with the developmental aspirations of both countries.

As two rapidly growing economies in the region, he said proximity should be seen as an opportunity to enhance connectivity, trade and regional cooperation rather than a constraint.

“A prosperous Bangladesh is in India’s interest, just as a prosperous India is in the interest of Bangladesh,” Verma wrote, adding that future cooperation should be guided by mutual interest, mutual benefit and mutual respect.

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the trajectory of bilateral relations, noting that both countries have evolved significantly over the past five decades and are now more capable, confident and interconnected than ever before.

He also underscored the importance of joint efforts to address shared challenges such as climate change and environmental sustainability.

Despite acknowledging occasional challenges during his tenure, Verma described his posting in Bangladesh as the “most cherished” of his diplomatic career, citing the warmth and hospitality he received.

He concluded his farewell message with a note of gratitude and hope, saying he looked forward to staying connected with friends in Bangladesh and hoping their paths would cross again – sometime, somewhere!

Until then, he signed off simply: “Aabaar Dekha Hobe.”