Dhaka to push for stronger ties with Delhi

Bangladesh will emphasise stability and continuous development of bilateral relations based on dignity, mutual trust, and shared interests during Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to India, the foreign ministry said yesterday.

“It is hoped that this visit will lay an important foundation for elevating cooperation between Bangladesh and India to a more fruitful and sustainable level,” Mahbubul Alam, director general of the foreign ministry’s Public Diplomacy Wing, told reporters at the ministry yesterday.

Khalilur Rahman reached New Delhi yesterday on a “goodwill visit” to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference scheduled for April 10-12, 2026.

He is accompanied by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, highlighting the importance Dhaka attaches to the visit.

Last night, a diplomatic source said Khalilur met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval following a dinner. Meetings with the other Indian ministers will be held today.

Mahbubul said the foreign minister is also scheduled to hold courtesy meetings with Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X last evening, welcomed Khalilur, writing, “India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people-to-people relations. The visit will further bolster the India-Bangladesh partnership.”

The Indian external affairs ministry, in a schedule published on its website yesterday, termed the visit “official”.

It said Khalilur will also meet with Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

This is the first ministerial visit to India since the formation of the BNP government.

Both countries have moved to mend bilateral ties that were strained following the political changeover after the July 2024 uprising.

Key issues likely to be discussed include the resumption of visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, enhancing energy cooperation, strengthening border management, resolving pending river water-sharing matters, and boosting trade facilitation.

Diplomatic sources said Bangladesh will reiterate its request for the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and those accused of the murder of Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.

Dhaka will also urge a more positive approach from India regarding the full resumption of visa services.

On border management, it will emphasise that it does not want to see any loss of life along the border.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to visit India at a convenient time.

“The visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may also come up during the foreign minister’s meeting with his Indian counterpart,” said a foreign ministry official.

Asked whether Tarique would consider India for his first bilateral visit, the source said Bangladesh would take a “creative” decision on the matter.