Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. The visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement as both nations seek to recalibrate relations amid recent geopolitical developments.
During his stay, Rahman is scheduled to hold comprehensive talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He is also expected to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, reflecting the wide-ranging scope of discussions spanning diplomacy, security, and energy cooperation.
The visit is particularly noteworthy as it is the first by a Bangladeshi minister since the BNP-led government assumed office earlier this year. It signals a renewed effort to stabilise ties that had come under strain during the tenure of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, a period marked by tensions over attacks on minority communities and anti-India rhetoric.
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Key issues expected to dominate the agenda include the resumption of visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, which have remained suspended since July 2024 due to security concerns. Both sides are also likely to discuss enhancing energy cooperation, improving border management mechanisms, resolving pending river water-sharing disputes, and boosting bilateral trade and connectivity.
Rahman is accompanied by Humayun Kabir, advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, underlining the importance Dhaka attaches to the visit. Bangladeshi officials are expected to push for the full restoration of visa services, highlighting the impact of restrictions on sectors such as medical tourism and cross-border mobility.
Recent diplomatic engagements between the two countries have also extended to defence cooperation. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M. Riaz Hamidullah recently met Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi to explore avenues for joint training and collaboration aimed at enhancing regional peace and security.
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