Tarique Rahman’s India Visit: Delhi, Dhaka Discuss November Dates

Seeking to restore strained bilateral ties, India and Bangladesh have begun discussions on a possible visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with the two sides exploring dates in the second half of November, The Indian Express reported.

The development comes days after the BRICS summit in New Delhi, which Rahman did not attend despite India inviting Bangladesh as the current chair of BIMSTEC.

New Delhi had earlier invited Rahman for a bilateral visit in August, but the trip was postponed amid tensions in Bangladesh over remarks made by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently living in India. Her comments were delivered through an audio link during a media interaction on August 5, marking two years since the fall of her government.

Sources said both sides are now considering possible dates in November. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs had extended an invitation for a standalone bilateral visit after Rahman assumed office following Bangladesh’s February elections.

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi is understood to have initiated discussions in both Dhaka and New Delhi, with the two governments examining dates that would also fit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule.

Meanwhile, changes are expected at Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi. High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah is reportedly set to move to Geneva as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is expected to succeed him. The appointment is undergoing the required formalities, including approval from the Indian government.

The two sides are also working to address the diplomatic difficulties that led to the postponement of Rahman’s August visit.

Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated sharply after Hasina’s ouster in 2024 but showed signs of improvement after Rahman took office in February. However, tensions resurfaced following Hasina’s public interaction in New Delhi in August. Dhaka has been seeking her extradition to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.

A key issue in arranging Rahman’s visit is Dhaka’s demand for a “propitious environment,” which relates to Hasina’s presence in India and her public statements. Bangladesh is seeking clarity from New Delhi on the steps being taken regarding its extradition request.

India has said the request is “being examined” while stressing the need for a forward-looking relationship based on mutual interests and reciprocity. New Delhi has also indicated that broader bilateral and security concerns need to be addressed alongside Dhaka’s requests.

Officials on both sides recognise the importance of Rahman’s proposed visit and the potential benefits of strengthening bilateral relations.