Bangladesh says 'Tarique never ruled out India visit'; talks underway for bilateral trip

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has never ruled out visiting India and discussions are underway between Dhaka and New Delhi to prepare a bilateral visit within a “proper framework”, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday, signalling continued efforts to overcome strains in relations between the neighbours.

Kobir, speaking to reporters after addressing the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka, declined to specify whether Rahman could travel to India before the end of the year. He said the two governments were engaged in discussions and wanted any visit to take place in a conducive environment after adequate diplomatic preparation.

‘Visit will be bilateral’

“Bilateral engagement is required to maintain relations with another country,” Kobir said. “The visit will be bilateral.”

Acknowledging continuing challenges in India-Bangladesh relations, he said Dhaka believed they could be addressed through dialogue. “Nothing gets resolved just over a phone call. We are having discussions, and things are positive,” he said.

Kobir said a meeting at the highest political level would have to be preceded by official-level engagement capable of creating the necessary environment and preparing substantive issues for discussion.

“A top-level dialogue will happen when a high-level visit takes place. Otherwise, a conducive environment must first be created through official-level dialogues,” he said.

The minister also stressed that Bangladesh had never shut the door on Rahman travelling to India. “The prime minister never said no to visiting,” he said, expressing hope that outstanding issues could be addressed through talks.

No date fixed

Despite speculation about a possible November visit, neither side has announced a date. Kobir avoided committing to a particular month on Monday, saying such diplomatic engagements could not be arranged overnight and should be announced once the necessary groundwork had been completed.

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi has taken a similar position in recent days. Following talks with Kobir on September 29, Trivedi said New Delhi’s invitation to Rahman remained open and there was “no need to rush” the visit.

A day later, the Indian envoy said the visit would take place but stressed that the two governments needed sufficient time to prepare. He said a meeting between Rahman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi could provide an opportunity to discuss outstanding bilateral questions, including trade and water issues.

Kobir on Monday praised Trivedi’s diplomatic engagement in Dhaka, saying the envoy was “doing a good job”. He expressed hope that New Delhi would be receptive to the High Commissioner’s assessment of political and diplomatic developments in Bangladesh.

Hasina remains key irritant

The efforts to arrange Rahman’s visit come against the backdrop of tensions that developed after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following the youth-led uprising of August 2024 and subsequently travelled to India.

Hasina’s continued presence in India has become one of the most sensitive issues in the relationship. Dhaka has sought her extradition, while New Delhi has said Bangladesh’s request is being examined through the applicable legal process. Indian High Commissioner Trivedi said last week that there was no fixed timeline for completing that process.

The issue intensified again in August after Hasina participated virtually in a media interaction in New Delhi. Bangladesh protested against the event and subsequently said it had affected the atmosphere surrounding a possible visit by Rahman.

India said it had no role in organising the interaction and did not endorse remarks made at the forum concerning the Bangladesh government.

Dhaka seeks restraint

Kobir on Monday also said Bangladesh expected India to prevent individuals based on its territory from engaging in activities that Dhaka considers aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.

He argued that the principle should operate reciprocally, saying Bangladesh would similarly not permit people from India to use its territory to make statements or conduct activities against the Indian government.

The comments reflect Dhaka’s continuing concerns over Hasina’s political activity while in India. New Delhi has maintained that it wants a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh and is prepared to discuss bilateral concerns through established mechanisms.

BRICS invitation row

Rahman’s absence from last month’s BRICS Summit in India had earlier highlighted the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the proposed visit.

India invited Rahman to participate in the summit in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal regional grouping. Bangladesh subsequently said he had not been invited in his capacity as Prime Minister for a bilateral engagement and therefore would not attend the BRICS event.

A separate invitation for a bilateral visit has remained open since February. Dhaka has consistently indicated that Rahman’s first substantive India trip should be structured primarily as a bilateral engagement rather than attached to a multilateral gathering.

The distinction has become important for Bangladesh as it seeks a visit with sufficient space for discussions on unresolved bilateral questions.

Water treaty approaching deadline

The diplomatic engagement also comes as the two countries face an approaching deadline on the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which expires in December 2026.

Kobir said Monday that Bangladesh would approach the future of the agreement on the basis of its national interest and security. Dhaka’s committee was ready for discussions and was awaiting a final response from the Indian side, he said.

Water sharing is one of several substantive issues that could figure in any future Rahman-Modi meeting. Trade, connectivity, border management, security, energy cooperation and the Hasina extradition request are also likely to remain important elements of the bilateral agenda.

Reset through dialogue

India and Bangladesh remain closely connected through trade, energy, transport and security arrangements despite the political strains of the past two years. Dhaka has simultaneously emphasised “strategic autonomy” and a foreign policy that engages multiple partners without compromising what it considers its national interests.

Kobir said India would continue to be an important partner for Bangladesh and stressed that diplomatic channels had remained open despite differences.

The immediate focus is now on official-level engagement capable of creating the conditions for a meeting between the two prime ministers. With neither government committing to a date, Monday’s remarks indicate that the proposed India visit remains under active discussion but will depend on progress in addressing the issues that have complicated relations since Hasina’s removal from power.