India on Wednesday reiterated that it wants a “positive, constructive and forward-looking” relationship with Bangladesh, saying a people-centric approach is guiding New Delhi’s engagement with Dhaka as the two neighbours seek to manage outstanding differences and rebuild momentum in bilateral ties.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks amid questions over Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India and Dhaka’s continuing concerns over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024.
‘People-centric focus’
“Our approach to Bangladesh is that we want to have a forward-looking, constructive and positive relationship with Bangladesh with a people-centric focus,” Jaiswal said at the MEA’s media briefing.
“That is what is driving our engagement with Bangladesh right now,” he added.
The formulation is consistent with New Delhi’s position in recent months that differences with Dhaka should be addressed through established bilateral mechanisms rather than allowed to derail the wider relationship.
India had said in September that it was ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through existing structured mechanisms. The two countries have since maintained diplomatic contacts despite unresolved issues relating to Hasina, border management and other areas of the relationship.
Hasina issue persists
The MEA was also questioned on Bangladesh’s efforts to secure Hasina’s extradition and whether Dhaka had sent documents relating to proceedings against the former prime minister that would be required for the extradition process.
Jaiswal did not confirm whether such documents had been received, reiterating instead that the matter would be dealt with through the applicable legal process.
“Insofar as the extradition is concerned, this is a legal matter. There are legalities involved in it,” he said.
Hasina has been in India since August 5, 2024, when she left Bangladesh amid the mass uprising that brought an end to her government. Dhaka has subsequently sought her extradition, and the issue has remained one of the most sensitive points in relations between the neighbours.
New Delhi has consistently treated the extradition question as a legal matter rather than indicating publicly what the eventual outcome of Bangladesh’s request might be.
Tarique visit in focus
The MEA’s comments also came amid renewed discussion over a possible visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.
Dhaka said earlier this week that Rahman had not ruled out visiting India, but stressed that any such trip would have to take place within an appropriate bilateral framework.
Bangladesh has also raised concerns about political activities by Hasina and her supporters while in India. Dhaka has argued that Indian territory should not be used for activities or statements it considers destabilising to Bangladesh.
India has so far avoided publicly linking those concerns with the timing of Rahman’s proposed visit, instead repeatedly emphasising its desire for constructive bilateral engagement.
New Delhi has already extended an invitation to Rahman for a bilateral visit. No date has yet been officially announced.
Contacts continue
Despite the politically sensitive issues, diplomatic engagement between the two sides has continued.
Outgoing Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah held a farewell meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri this week, during which they reviewed the breadth of bilateral relations, cooperation through existing institutional mechanisms and the importance of people-to-people ties.
Hamidullah also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who acknowledged his contribution to bilateral ties and wished him well at the end of his assignment in New Delhi.
In Dhaka, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi has held a series of meetings with members of the new Bangladesh government. Recent discussions have focused on avenues for deepening engagement and pursuing cooperation of mutual benefit.
Relationship under repair
India-Bangladesh ties went through a period of considerable strain following Hasina’s departure and the political transition in Dhaka. Questions surrounding her continued presence in India added another layer of complexity to the relationship.
Since the formation of the new government in Bangladesh in 2026, however, the two countries have gradually resumed higher-level political and diplomatic engagement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi in April, with both sides agreeing to explore ways of deepening the partnership through established bilateral mechanisms.
Several practical issues remain on the agenda, including trade, visas, connectivity, energy, border management and water sharing. The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996 for 30 years, is also due to expire in December 2026, adding urgency to bilateral discussions over water cooperation.
The two countries share a border of more than 4,000 km and extensive economic, transport and people-to-people links, making continued engagement important even when political disagreements persist.
For now, New Delhi’s public message is that these differences should be handled within established frameworks while the broader relationship moves ahead. Jaiswal’s emphasis on a “positive, constructive and forward-looking” approach reflects India’s effort to keep engagement with Dhaka on track even as the Hasina extradition issue remains unresolved.