Bangladesh Prioritises Strategic Terms Ahead Of PM Tarique Rahman’s Planned India Trip
Bangladesh PM’s possible India visit remains under discussion.
Discussions are continuing over a proposed visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, with Dhaka indicating that no date has been finalised yet. Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir described the proposed visit as possible at a “conducive” time, based on mutual respect, shared interests and the availability of the Prime Ministers of both countries.
The proposed visit comes against the backdrop of tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka over an event held in Delhi on August 5 featuring former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh strongly objected to the event, with its Foreign Ministry expressing concern that it could affect efforts to reset bilateral relations. India had earlier clarified that the government had no role in organising the programme and did not endorse the views expressed there.
Bangladesh has since welcomed the reported decision to deny permission for another international seminar in Delhi that was expected to feature speakers linked to the suspended Awami League. Kabir termed the reported action “positive” and indicated that Dhaka expects individuals it describes as fugitives or terrorists not to be provided political space in India. He linked such developments to the broader effort to rebuild goodwill between the two countries.
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The August 5 event involving Sheikh Hasina had become a sensitive issue in bilateral relations. Dhaka described the programme as an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and maintained that it had conveyed its concerns to India before the event. Sheikh Hasina, whose government was removed from power on August 5, 2024, had travelled to India after being evacuated from Bangladesh by the country’s military. She later disputed the claim that she had resigned as Prime Minister.
Kabir also clarified that there was no previously agreed date for Tarique Rahman’s proposed India visit that subsequently became stuck. According to him, discussions had already been underway before the August 5 incident, after which Bangladesh raised its concerns. He indicated that the dialogue has now resumed and that the visit could take place once conditions and timing are considered suitable.
The reported Delhi Police decision to deny clearance for the seminar was attributed to “certain controversies”, although no official clarification has been issued by the Delhi Police. Against this backdrop, Dhaka’s continued discussions with New Delhi over Tarique Rahman’s visit could indicate an effort to keep bilateral engagement moving despite recent disagreements.
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