Dhaka, 10 August (H.S.):
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Monday, marking their first meeting. Trivedi conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and expressed India’s willingness to work with the Bangladesh government and people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office shared official details of the meeting on its Facebook page. According to reports, the meeting was held at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Foreign Policy Adviser Humayun Kabir were also present.
In a post on X, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the nearly 30-minute discussion would contribute to strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation between the two countries. It said continued dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation could help steer India-Bangladesh relations in a positive direction.
A day earlier, on Sunday, Trivedi had also met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. The meetings are being viewed as part of efforts to bring bilateral relations back on a constructive track following a period of heightened tensions between the two neighbours.
The latest engagement comes amid diplomatic strain between New Delhi and Dhaka over a virtual interaction by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with the media from India.
A senior Bangladesh government official said the two countries need to move their relationship forward while respecting each other’s dignity, interests and sensitivities. The official also stressed the importance of demonstrating adequate regard for each other’s concerns.
Officials in the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said Monday’s meeting had been scheduled in advance. Trivedi assumed office as India’s 16th High Commissioner to Bangladesh after presenting his credentials to the President on June 25.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
