Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi expressed confidence that many of the issues between Dhaka and New Delhi could be resolved if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet.
“I listened to his [Tarique] speeches many times; he is a people’s person, so is our PM [Modi]. I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence,” he said while speaking to journalists after inaugurating children’s playing area at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) this afternoon.
“The people are united and there will certainly be a solution. I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive,” he said.
He also said the capacity for Indian visa processing was gradually increasing given the growing demand.
The Indian envoy’s remarks came amid renewed discussion over a possible visit by PM Tarique Rahman to India.
On August 4, India confirmed that it had invited Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
A separate bilateral invitation for him to visit India has been in place since February.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, focusing on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.
“You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a media briefing in New Delhi on August 7.
Regarding the BRICS Summit, Jaiswal said India had separately invited Tarique, in his capacity as the current BIMSTEC chair, to attend the outreach session of the summit.
“The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner,” he said.
BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping in April last year for a two-year term, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development, a senior official told UNB.
“We are reviewing it now. We will take a decision and inform you immediately,” Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur told reporters on July 29 when asked about Bangladesh’s response to the invitation.
The prospect of closer engagement comes amid fresh tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi following ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent speech in New Delhi, which drew strong reactions in Bangladesh.
Amid Bangladesh’s stated “outrage”, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had “no role” in Sheikh Hasina’s recent press conference in New Delhi and did not endorse what was said at the event, where she spoke virtually.
“I have already stated the government’s position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks. I am reiterating it here,” Jaiswal said.
He said the event had been organised by a private media entity and that the Indian government had no role in it.
Jaiswal also said India continued to closely follow developments in its neighbourhood, keeping its national security interests in mind, and would take whatever measures were necessary in that regard.
