Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman should visit India “much sooner”, saying direct engagement between the two countries’ leaders can help resolve bilateral issues.
“Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful,” he told reporters last night at a dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, Ireland’s honorary consul in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Dhaka.
Trivedi said Bangladesh and India share close ties and that he wants to see a “golden chapter” in relations between the two countries.
He said the two countries are sovereign states with their own challenges, differences and disagreements, but stressed that these could be addressed through dialogue.
“We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That’s okay,” he said, adding that the two countries should work towards shared goals, including ensuring dignity and mutual respect.
The envoy described Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “people’s persons” and said their meeting could help resolve outstanding issues.
“When two such leaders meet and interact, there is no problem, there is no issue, which cannot be discussed and which cannot be sorted out,” he said.
Trivedi said the two countries “do not only share a border; they really share a dream”, and stressed the need to move forward in bilateral relations.
Masud Khan said Bangladesh-India relations had developed into a broad partnership covering trade and investment, connectivity, energy, education, culture, security, development cooperation and people-to-people ties.
“Of course, there is always more that can be achieved, and we must always acknowledge our challenges,” he said.
The dinner was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka, former diplomats, businesspeople, and former civil and defence officials.
On Saturday, Trivedi said people-to-people ties remained central to the relationship between the two countries while addressing India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
He called for greater cooperation in areas including trade, connectivity, security and healthcare, saying the two countries should work together towards shared prosperity.
Trivedi had earlier described his first meeting with Tarique Rahman as "fruitful" and said India’s invitation for the prime minister to visit remained in place.
“We are positive that if the two leaders meet together, there will be a discussion,” he added.
