Following India’s invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in India, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has expressed confidence that bilateral relations would move forward constructively once Rahman visited India. “I am looking forward to everything positively; there is no bilateral issue that cannot be resolved through mutual understanding.”
Indian high commissioner hold separate meetings with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday in Dhaka. Describing the meetings as highly positive, Trivedi said: “We had remarkably good meetings, which were a very positive step forward. The meetings held in an exceptionally warm environment.”
Asked about the two invitations extended by India to Tarique Rahman, the high commissioner said the decision rested entirely with the Bangladesh PM. “From our end, I can assure you that we are looking forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India. We are very hopeful that this visit will take place in the near future,” he said.
Responding to questions on pending bilateral issues, including the Teesta and Ganges water treaties, Trivedi said: “Today’s meeting was primarily a courtesy call, and it carried the warmth expected of one. However, there is no issue that cannot be sorted out through mutual understanding. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it is about people. Whatever is beneficial for both democracies and their citizens will be prioritised.”
On the renewal of bilateral treaties, he said both countries had active working groups dealing with the issues. “These working groups will certainly meet and deliberate. As I mentioned, there is no problem that cannot be resolved. The working groups will actively do their part, and once the Prime Minister visits India, things will move forward constructively,” the High Commissioner said.
Highlighting the historical bonds between the two neighbours, he said: “I can tell you that historically, culturally, and even in sports, such as cricket, our connections run deep. We discussed all these aspects. This relationship is truly historical. We share not only our borders, but also our history, culture, and aspirations.”
“I am looking forward to a relationship whose very foundation rests on mutual, people-to-people benefits for both nations. This is just the beginning, and I am confident we will continue to engage more deeply with each other moving forward.”
Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe and other officials of the Indian High Commission were also present at the meetings.
India, which will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the summit, which will focus on global cooperation, trade , and sustainable development.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam recently told reporters that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received the invitation from the Indian side and forwarded it to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Responding to a question, she said Bangladesh, as a democratic country with a democratically elected government, sought peace and stability in the region. “This is our position, and we want peace and stability to be maintained in our region,” she said.
The state minister added that Bangladesh expected India, as a large democratic nation, to address issues affecting its people and work towards solutions.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’. BRICS, comprising 11 member countries and 10 partner nations, now serves as a major forum for cooperation on economic, political, security and global development issues.
