Dhaka: Amid increased engagement from both sides to retune bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and his Indian counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar are set to meet in New Delhi next week, a move that could usher in a new phase of cooperation on a range of issues important to both Dhaka and Delhi and lend genuine momentum to the relationship, officials said. This will mark the first high-level visit to India since the BNP government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, assumed office, following a period of significant strain in bilateral relations. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to make any official announcement regarding the planned brief visit.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meeting between the two foreign ministers will be held in New Delhi on April 8, as confirmed by a senior official, although details regarding the arrival and departure remain undisclosed. The Indian side traditionally does not announce incoming visits but officially announces outgoing visits. Bangladesh and India share deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and a multitude of other commonalities, and in any bilateral meeting, all issues of mutual interest are expected to come up for discussion.
The two Foreign Ministers are likely to discuss cooperation in the areas of energy, water sharing, border management, visa, and people-to-people ties. A future visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India may also be on the agenda. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, to visit India at a convenient time. Modi’s letter, handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla, highlighted the desire to work closely with Prime Minister Tarique to strengthen multifaceted bilateral relations and enhance regional cooperation.
Water-sharing issues, particularly the long-pending agreement on the Teesta River, might also be a focal point of the discussion. The two countries share 54 common rivers, and the renewal of the Bangladesh-India Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty, which is expiring in December, is also pending. Officials mentioned that any agreement must be acceptable to both the State Government of India and Bangladesh. Discussions for the renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty are yet to commence, although the Indian side had offered to renew it in 2024.
Visa issues are also likely to be addressed, as tourist visas for Bangladeshis have been suspended since July 2024 on security grounds. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma recently engaged in meetings in Dhaka to explore new areas of collaboration, focusing on people-centric domains and economic cooperation. Both sides discussed strengthening transport, energy, and digital connectivity. However, Indian visa centres in Bangladesh remain understaffed, and the full resumption of services is still pending.
Additionally, the two countries are set to discuss enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, including joint training initiatives. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah recently met with Indian Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration aimed at promoting regional peace and security. Both nations believe they can become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, security, and mutual prosperity as fast-growing economies and aspiring societies.