Diplomatic Reporter:

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi expressed expectations that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India keeping the mutual interests of the people of both nations in mind.

“Discussions between the two countries regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to India are ongoing. Dialogue will continue to further strengthen people-to-people relations between the two nations,” the High Commissioner said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday while answering questions from reporters following a meeting with Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at the Parliament Office.

The Indian High Commissioner noted that discussions were held on strengthening parliamentary ties, including the formation of a Bangladesh-India Parliamentary Friendship Group. He also shared that the Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha has extended an official invitation to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament to visit India.

“We discussed how the parliaments of both countries can work together and how people-to-people ties can be further enhanced. Dialogue between both sides will continue—and that is the essence of democracy,” Trivedi said. Appreciating Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed’s political background, the High Commissioner added that he is an experienced politician and a former distinguished footballer.

Earlier, the High Commissioner held a bilateral meeting with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at his office, where a wide range of issues regarding Bangladesh-India relations were discussed.

During the meeting, the Speaker noted that Bangladesh-India relations have navigated through various ups and downs over time and evolved across different historical contexts.

“The Awami League government undermined the democratic rights of the people through orchestrated elections in 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024,” the Speaker stated, adding that the 2024 mass uprising paved the way for the restoration of democracy in the country.

The Speaker emphasized that during Sheikh Hasina’s regime, bilateral relations were largely government-centric. “Now, people-to-people connection must form the foundation of Bangladesh-India relations,” he remarked, expressing hope that future ties will be guided by mutual respect and honoring each other’s independence and sovereignty.

In response, High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi affirmed India’s interest in fostering people-centric relations, stating that the current government in India is working to meet public expectations by strengthening bilateral bonds.

The meeting also covered key topics including exchanges of parliamentary delegations, the Rohingya crisis and rehabilitation, and mutual cooperation in sports and cultural exchanges.