Bangladesh yesterday requested India to increase supplies of diesel and fertiliser, citing global supply chain disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, according to a foreign ministry statement.
New Delhi assured Dhaka that it would consider the request and signalled plans to ease existing visa curbs on Bangladeshis in the coming weeks, the statement added.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman conveyed the request during meetings with Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and Oil and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri in New Delhi. He also met Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval over dinner on Tuesday.
This is the first ministerial visit to India since the BNP government assumed office, a move expected to reset bilateral ties that became strained after the political changeover in August 2024.
Rahman thanked Puri for India’s recent diesel supply and sought increased volumes of diesel and fertiliser. In turn, Puri indicated the request would be considered “readily and favourably,” according to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
Bangladesh also asked India to extradite deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal.
The Indian response was not mentioned in the statement.
Rahman further thanked India for arresting suspects in the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Both sides agreed the detainees would be returned to Bangladesh under the extradition treaty.
During talks, Jaishankar said Indian visas for Bangladeshis -- particularly medical and business visas -- would be eased in the coming weeks.
India had sharply reduced visas after the July 2024 political changeover, while Bangladesh later restricted visas for Indians.
In late February, the Bangladesh missions in India resumed issuing all categories of visas. India is yet to resume visas fully.
According to foreign policy analysts, India and Bangladesh both signalled improving relations, though there are areas of friction, such as the extradition of Hasina and other Awami League leaders living in India.
There are many issues -- water sharing, trade, tourism, and healthcare -- that affect the life and livelihoods of the people in both the countries.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty expires in December this year, while the Teesta water sharing has been hanging for a long time.
“Renewing the Ganges water-sharing treaty will be a test of the relationship,” said former ambassador M Humayun Kabir.
How much these issues were discussed or not was not known.
Dhaka and Delhi mutually agreed to undertake consultations on key bilateral issues, however.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a separate statement said Jaishankar reiterated India’s desire to engage constructively with the new government of Bangladesh and further strengthen bilateral ties.
“The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date,” it said.
Further, both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the statement said.
After the meeting, S Jaishankar said, “Pleased to host FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and his delegation this afternoon. Agreed to remain in close touch.”
Hardeep Singh Puri shared on X that he discussed with Khalilur Rahman bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
Last evening, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman attended a reception where he sought the support of India and other countries for his candidacy as president of the UN General Assembly.
Khalilur is scheduled to fly to Mauritius from New Delhi today to attend the Indian Ocean Conference from April 10-12. Jaishankar will also be attending the event, providing scopes for further interactions between foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India, diplomatic sources said.
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah were present at these meetings.
