PM Rahman’s Adviser Says Bangladesh Wants To Deepen Ties With India

Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to rebuild and strengthen ties with India, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman stating that Dhaka wants to engage with New Delhi through mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests. His remarks come amid efforts by the new Bangladesh government to improve relations after a period of diplomatic strain.

Zahed Ur Rahman said he remains open to visiting India if he receives a proper invitation, making it clear that he wants continued engagement between the two neighbouring countries. “I will certainly go. I am making this very clear that if I receive a proper invitation, I will certainly go because I want to engage with India, logically and rationally,” he said.

The comments follow an incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi last month, where Zahed Ur Rahman was reportedly stopped for questioning during a routine security check. According to reports, his name was flagged by authorities, after which he decided to return to Bangladesh instead of entering India. He was travelling to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

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The incident led to diplomatic concerns, with Dhaka reportedly summoning India’s Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe to express its disappointment. Reports from Bangladeshi media suggested that Zahed Ur Rahman was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa rather than a diplomatic passport, which is generally used for official visits of senior government representatives.

Despite the controversy, Zahed Ur Rahman highlighted that the Tarique Rahman-led government wants to move forward and improve bilateral relations. He said the previous deterioration in ties during the interim government period should be set aside and that both countries should focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, business, and other forms of exchange.

India and Bangladesh share extensive historical, economic, and geographical connections, with cooperation covering energy, connectivity, and commerce. India has continued its neighbourhood engagement with Bangladesh, including fuel supplies through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which was operationalised in 2017. While Tarique Rahman’s early foreign visits included Malaysia and China rather than India, observers noted that broader bilateral issues, including the Teesta water project and Mongla Port redevelopment, will remain important areas of discussion as both nations seek to strengthen relations.

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