PM May Visit New Delhi in Late November or Early December

Bangladesh and India have resumed official-level discussions on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi, with officials exploring a possible window in late November or early December, according to diplomatic sources cited by The Hindu.

The renewed talks mark a fresh effort to arrange the much-anticipated bilateral engagement after a period of strained relations between the two neighbours. Officials from both sides have been meeting in Dhaka to work out the timing and agenda of the proposed visit.

The Hindu reported that efforts are underway to identify a suitable window in November after Tarique completes his upcoming international and diplomatic engagements. The exact date has yet to be finalised.

The discussions are also focused on key bilateral issues, including the regularisation of trade affected by political tensions and the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, which is due to expire in December.

Bangladesh has indicated that it wants to “reset” ties with India and prefers a bilateral visit at a “conducive” time rather than linking it to a multilateral event.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has also held meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials, including Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and Prime Minister’s Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin, as diplomatic engagement between the two sides continues.

Tarique had been invited by India to attend the BRICS Summit in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair but did not attend. India has separately invited him for a bilateral visit, with the date and agenda still under discussion.

Tarique is scheduled to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, followed by a series of diplomatic engagements in October and November. The proposed India visit is being considered around those commitments.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Tarique for his birthday wishes on Thursday. In a post on X, Modi wrote, “Thank you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate your kind words.”

Tarique had earlier wished Modi good health and extended his greetings on the occasion of the Indian prime minister’s birthday.