NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi desires Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed go to to India to be “memorable”, Indian Excessive Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi mentioned, as uncertainty continues over the journey amid contemporary strains in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.Talking at a reception hosted by the Indian Excessive Fee in Dhaka on Tuesday for Bangladeshi enterprise leaders and a visiting Confederation of Indian Business (CII) delegation, Trivedi mentioned PM Modi had emphasised the necessity for the 2 leaders to satisfy and guaranteed Rahman of an applicable welcome.“Prime Minister Modi simply talked about one factor. We have to meet. And you’ll inform them on my behalf that you’ve got the prime minister of India’s assurance that when the honourable prime minister of Bangladesh visits India, he could have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” Trivedi mentioned, as quoted by information company PTI.He added that PM Modi needed Rahman’s go to to be “memorable”, stressing that nearer engagement between the 2 leaders would finally profit individuals and companies in each nations.“In the end, the profit will go to individuals and companies. Enterprise individuals everywhere in the world have an enormous position to play in bridging this hole,” Trivedi mentioned.
India requires belief, dialogue amid strains
Trivedi’s remarks come amid uncertainty over Rahman’s proposed go to to New Delhi for the Brics summit on September 12-13 and a doable bilateral assembly with PM Modi.The proposed go to has develop into sophisticated by Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been dwelling in India since she was ousted in August 2024 following violent student-led protests.Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition after she was sentenced to dying in absentia by a particular tribunal in November 2025 over alleged “crimes in opposition to humanity” in the course of the crackdown on protesters.India has mentioned the extradition request is being examined in accordance with relevant legislation and established authorized procedures.Dhaka has additionally just lately objected to a digital media interplay by Hasina from New Delhi on August 5, saying it damage the emotions of Bangladeshis and will have an effect on efforts to enhance bilateral ties. Ministry of exterior affairs has mentioned it had no position within the occasion and doesn’t endorse feedback made there in regards to the Bangladesh authorities.In opposition to this backdrop, Trivedi known as for each nations to deal with their variations whereas persevering with to have interaction with one another.“I’m not telling that you simply neglect the previous, however hold the previous and type out the variations of the previous. However transfer on. Do not get stagnant,” he mentioned.He described disagreements as pure between “vibrant democracies” and mentioned they may very well be addressed by way of dialogue and engagement.“We deeply perceive the considerations of brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. Undoubtedly, there are considerations. However this can be a partnership of equals,” Trivedi mentioned.He additionally confused the significance of belief, saying, “The inspiration of any long-lasting relation is mutual and unconditional belief.”
Commerce and youth seen as bridge between neighbours
Trivedi highlighted India’s Neighbourhood First coverage and mentioned the 2 nations ought to construct on their shared historical past, tradition and aspirations regardless of current “hiccups”.“We’ve shared historical past, we have now shared tradition, and that is the place we have to foster,” he mentioned.He additionally pointed to Bangladesh’s youthful inhabitants, saying India needed to work with the “new Bangladesh” to create higher alternatives for its youth.“It is a new Bangladesh. And this new Bangladesh has the youth. And youth has additionally gone by way of loads of struggles and loads of sacrifice. So, our goal clearly [is] to have peace and prosperity and the youth should get that chance,” he mentioned.The envoy urged companies in each nations to play a higher position in rebuilding confidence and increasing financial ties. A CII delegation is presently in Dhaka to discover alternatives for elevated commerce, funding and industrial cooperation.“We do not solely share border, we share goals, we share aspirations and equality,” Trivedi mentioned, underlining the significance of people-to-people ties.
Dhaka seeks ‘propitious atmosphere’ for Rahman go to
The remarks come days after Bangladesh hooked up circumstances to Rahman’s doable go to to India, amid strain from home political teams over the unresolved Hasina extradition challenge.Bangladesh’s overseas affairs spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim had mentioned officers from the 2 nations had been in touch over the potential of a bilateral go to however insisted {that a} “propitious atmosphere” wanted to be created.Dhaka mentioned the August 5 media interplay by Hasina had affected that atmosphere and known as on India to behave expeditiously on its extradition request.
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Indian authorities sources, nonetheless, have maintained that the invitation to Rahman for the Brics summit and a bilateral go to stays in place, with the timing finally for Dhaka to determine.The competing positions spotlight the diplomatic problem going through the 2 neighbours: India is signalling that it desires to maintain the connection transferring ahead by way of political and financial engagement, whereas Dhaka continues to press New Delhi on points surrounding Hasina.For now, Trivedi’s message is that regardless of the variations, India desires Rahman’s proposed go to to go forward on phrases that enable the 2 sides to rebuild belief and deal with wider bilateral pursuits.
