NEW DELHI, April 8: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Bangladeshi counterpart Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi on Wednesday, signaling India’s commitment to engage constructively with the new Bangladesh government and further strengthen bilateral ties.
The meeting marked a strategic reset after over 18 months of heightened diplomatic tension during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government.
Rahman, accompanied by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s foreign affairs advisor Humayun Kabir, arrived in India on Tuesday, marking the first high-level visit by a senior official from the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which assumed office in February following parliamentary elections.
During the talks, Jaishankar emphasized India’s desire to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, strengthen economic and cultural links, and exchange views on regional and global developments.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and explore proposals to enhance bilateral engagement through established mechanisms, with follow-up official meetings expected at an early date.
The Indian side also assured Bangladesh that visa issuance, particularly for medical and business purposes, would be eased in the coming weeks, reflecting India’s intent to facilitate greater people-to-people and economic interactions.
The Bangladeshi delegation reiterated its request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom have been sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.
Indian officials indicated that Hasina’s stay in India should not impede efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, signaling a pragmatic approach to sensitive political issues.
Rahman highlighted the BNP government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy approach, stressing principles of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocal benefit in guiding Dhaka’s international relations.
He also met India’s Oil and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri, thanking India for recent diesel supplies and requesting an increase in the supply of diesel and fertilizers, underscoring the economic and energy dimensions of the bilateral relationship.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted Rahman for a dinner meeting, reflecting the strategic importance India attaches to its ties with Bangladesh.
Both sides underlined the importance of exploring new avenues of cooperation, ensuring prior political tensions do not hinder the deepening of their longstanding partnership, and building a robust, forward-looking framework for bilateral relations.
The talks demonstrated a mutual commitment to foster stability, strengthen regional collaboration, and enhance bilateral trade, energy, and security cooperation in the coming months. (PTI)
