Dhaka to highlight key issues during foreign minister’s visit to Delhi

Bangladesh is set to raise a range of key bilateral issues—including extradition, trade, water sharing and border security—during the foreign minister’s upcoming visit to India, as Dhaka seeks to rebuild ties on the basis of mutual respect and shared benefits.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit New Delhi on Tuesday in what has been described as a “goodwill visit,” though officials say the trip will include substantive discussions aimed at advancing Bangladesh’s priorities.

During the visit, he is expected to hold bilateral talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with separate meetings with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The trip will be the first visit to Delhi by a Bangladeshi minister since the BNP government took office, and comes amid efforts by Dhaka to reset previously strained ties with New Delhi on a more balanced, mutually beneficial footing under a “Bangladesh first” approach.

Officials said Bangladesh will reiterate its request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other accused individuals, including Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. A senior official noted that while the process may take time, Dhaka is keen to see their return as soon as possible.

Dhaka is also expected to urge India to take a more positive stance on fully resuming visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, highlighting the potential gains in sectors such as medical tourism.

Border management will be a major focus, with Bangladesh emphasizing the need to prevent any loss of life along the frontier and calling for stronger coordination to maintain stability.

Energy cooperation, including cross-border power trade and fuel supply, is also likely to feature in the discussions, alongside broader efforts to enhance connectivity and economic integration.

Water sharing of common rivers—particularly the long-pending Teesta agreement—is expected to be a key topic, while the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, set to expire later this year, may also come up.

Trade facilitation measures, such as easing non-tariff barriers and improving logistics connectivity, are also on the agenda as both sides aim to unlock greater economic potential.

The foreign minister is scheduled to depart for New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon before heading to Port Louis to attend the Indian Ocean Conference, which will be held from April 10 to April 12. He will be accompanied during the India leg of the visit by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.