Bangladesh names Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as India envoy after New Delhi gives nod

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is set to become the country’s next High Commissioner to India after New Delhi gave its formal consent to his appointment, in a move that comes as the two neighbours seek to put bilateral ties back on a steadier footing.

A Bangladesh foreign ministry official confirmed Tuesday that Dhaka had received the Indian government’s agrément — the formal diplomatic approval required before an ambassador or high commissioner can take up an overseas assignment. The ministry is expected to formally announce Siam’s appointment Wednesday.

“We have received the Indian consent for his appointment as the high commissioner there,” the official said. The development was also confirmed by Bangladesh High Commission spokesperson Saidur Rahman in New Delhi, who said India’s Ministry of External Affairs had issued the agrément.

Senior diplomat for Delhi

Siam, a career diplomat who joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1995, will succeed M Riaz Hamidullah as Dhaka’s envoy in New Delhi. Hamidullah has been appointed Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Siam has served as Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary since June 2025. Before taking charge as the foreign ministry’s top bureaucrat, he was Bangladesh’s ambassador to the United States. He has also served as the country’s High Commissioner to Australia, giving him experience in some of Dhaka’s key diplomatic postings.

Bangladesh officials had earlier indicated that Dhaka wanted to send one of its senior-most diplomats to New Delhi at a time when both countries were looking to repair a relationship that had faced considerable strain over the previous two years.

His appointment also follows India’s decision to name former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi as its High Commissioner to Bangladesh in April this year.

Ties under strain

India-Bangladesh relations witnessed a downturn during the 18-month tenure of the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus, which took office following the student-led uprising that brought an end to Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024.

The period saw differences emerge between the two countries over several issues, accompanied by sharp political rhetoric and concerns over the future direction of the relationship. The change of government in Dhaka also required both sides to recalibrate a bilateral relationship that had expanded significantly in areas ranging from connectivity and trade to energy and security.

The appointment of senior figures to the two capitals comes as both governments have shown signs of seeking greater engagement and a more predictable relationship.

Focus on rebuilding ties

Diplomatic appointments to New Delhi and Dhaka are being closely watched because of the breadth of issues confronting the two neighbours. Trade and connectivity, border management, water sharing, visas and people-to-people exchanges remain among the key areas requiring sustained engagement.

Siam will also take charge at a time when the two countries are exploring ways to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers and expand bilateral commerce.

Political analysts in Bangladesh have viewed India’s appointment of Trivedi and Dhaka’s decision to send its serving Foreign Secretary to New Delhi as indications of the importance both sides attach to stabilising ties.

With India now giving its agrément, Siam’s formal appointment is expected to be announced shortly, clearing the way for one of Bangladesh’s most senior diplomats to take charge of the mission in New Delhi.