Dhaka: Bangladesh and India are set to hold a series of bilateral meetings in the coming weeks as the two neighbours move to reactivate dormant cooperation mechanisms and rebuild engagement following months of strained relations. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi has begun reactivating all channels of bilateral engagement with Dhaka, with contacts already taking place at the ministerial level.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Misri told a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi that Bangladesh and India have more than 40 institutional mechanisms covering water sharing, trade, border management, security, connectivity, and consular affairs. Many of these mechanisms remained inactive during Bangladesh’s interim administration following the political transition last year.
Misri acknowledged that bilateral relations had faced challenges during that period but stated that India is now re-engaging with Bangladesh following the formation of an elected government led by BNP. He emphasized that meetings are being scheduled and that results will be known in the coming weeks and months.
Highlighting the depth of ties, Misri noted that the two countries share over 4,000 kilometers of border and 54 transboundary rivers, with Bangladesh remaining India’s largest trading partner in the region. He expressed India’s intent to progress and modernize its economic partnership with Bangladesh.
On visa services, Misri confirmed that India is working to fully restore visa operations for Bangladeshi citizens and mentioned that further developments would be known in the coming days. He also indicated that trade issues would be among the first items to be discussed as both sides seek mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses and people in both countries.
Regarding projects under India’s Line of Credit (LoC), Misri stated that both sides would review Bangladesh’s priority projects and discuss future financing arrangements accordingly. On water sharing, he said that the Joint Rivers Commission would continue technical discussions on pending issues, including the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty and the long-awaited Teesta agreement.
In response to questions on regional diplomacy, Misri emphasized that Bangladesh is sovereign in managing its relations with other countries, while expressing hope that bilateral interests between Dhaka and New Delhi would remain protected.