Report by *The Hindu* //

Following a period of temporary strain in bilateral relations, India and Bangladesh have resumed official-level discussions to finalize plans for Tarique Rahman’s visit to New Delhi. This information was reported yesterday, Friday, by the Indian media outlet *The Hindu*, citing diplomatic sources. Sources indicated that efforts are underway to organize the visit this coming November.

*The Hindu* notes that a virtual press conference held by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—who was ousted from power in August 2024—sparked a strong reaction in Bangladesh. Bilateral relations between the two countries suffered a setback following that event. Sheikh Hasina is currently residing at an undisclosed location in India.

Citing relevant sources, *The Hindu* reported that officials from both nations are holding a series of meetings in Dhaka to determine the agenda for the visit. Key agenda items include normalizing bilateral trade—which had been disrupted by political instability—and addressing issues related to the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.

Citing multiple sources in Dhaka, *The Hindu* reported that Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit New York this month to attend the UN General Assembly. He has several diplomatic engagements lined up for October and November. Amidst this, efforts are being made to schedule his visit to New Delhi for a suitable time in November.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has held meetings with several Bangladeshi officials over the past few days. These include Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and the Prime Minister’s Advisor Mahdi Amin.

Tarique Rahman had previously been invited to attend the BRICS summit held in New Delhi, but Bangladesh did not send a representative to the event. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir stated that Dhaka would prioritize a bilateral visit at an opportune moment. Earlier, *The Hindu* reported that the BNP views the cancellation of a program by supporters of Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, earlier this month as a positive sign.

Sheikh Hasina recently held a press conference in India, an event that drew criticism from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced Sheikh Hasina, along with several of her top ministers and officials, to death for the crackdown on protesters during July and August 2024. Citing multiple sources within the current Dhaka administration, *The Hindu* has claimed that Tarique Rahman maintained contact with India at various times, even while residing in London. Following the January 2024 election—which the BNP boycotted—Tarique Rahman sent a representative to India to gauge the country’s stance.
Two months prior to the January 2024 election, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku—currently the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources—visited New Delhi. In an interview with *The Hindu*, he had urged India to extend unequivocal support to the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
Earlier, in 2018, a three-member BNP delegation had visited New Delhi. That delegation included Abdul Awal Mintoo, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Humayun Kabir.

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