Dhaka:Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, asserted that India's relationship with Bangladesh is independent of Dhaka's ties with other countries. He emphasized mutual respect, sovereign decision-making, and the importance of continuous dialogue to address bilateral issues.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Trivedi made these remarks during a discussion at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka. The session, titled "Power and Prudence Managing Great-Power Competition without Conflict," focused on managing strategic rivalries and reducing escalation risks amid global geopolitical uncertainties.
Trivedi highlighted Bangladesh's ability, as a sovereign nation, to make its own decisions based on its security interests. He stressed that both countries are entitled to protect their national interests without external interference. The envoy advocated for mutual support during crises and emphasized respecting each other's sovereignty and domestic policies.
In response to questions, Trivedi called for ongoing engagement to address unresolved bilateral issues such as water, trade, culture, sports, communication, and transportation. He assured that the process of dialogue is continuous and expressed confidence in finding solutions through consultation and trust.
The high commissioner portrayed Bangladesh-India relations as deeply rooted in cultural and historical bonds, extending beyond transactional exchanges. He referred to the shared cultural legacy, illustrated by figures like Rabindranath Tagore, as a solid foundation for their relationship. Trivedi expressed confidence that the strong people-to-people connections would continue to sustain the bilateral ties.
The discussion also featured contributions from Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies President Maj Gen (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, former Indian Army commander Arun Kumar Sahni, Georgetown University Professor Carol Christine Fair, and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor's foreign relations adviser Mustafa Osman Turan. The session was moderated by Faris Hadrovic, managing director of Cnsltng-Bsnss-Dvlpmnt, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turan remarked on the concept of strategic autonomy, suggesting it involves more than simply maintaining a neutral stance.