India seeks constructive ties with Bangladesh amid diplomatic strain, consular talks deferred

India on Friday said it desired a "positive, constructive and forward-looking" relationship with Bangladesh despite continuing diplomatic friction between the two neighbours and the postponement of their bilateral consular dialogue.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi remained committed to engaging with Dhaka through established bilateral mechanisms covering trade, railways, water resources and border management.

"India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh," Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing.

"Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings held under our structured mechanisms in such areas as trade, railways, water resources and border management, among others," he added.

The remarks came amid renewed tensions following former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina's virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5, which drew a sharp response from Dhaka.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱

The next round of the India-Bangladesh consular dialogue, originally scheduled for next week, has been postponed.

Jaiswal said the meeting would be held on a mutually convenient date and would also address matters concerning the revised travel arrangement between the two countries.

"India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level," he said.

The spokesperson did not announce a fresh date for the dialogue.

The postponement comes at a time when both countries are attempting to manage differences while maintaining cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

𝗛𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝘄

Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka came under fresh strain after Hasina participated in a virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5.

Bangladesh reacted strongly to the event, expressing outrage that it had been permitted despite Dhaka having conveyed concerns about its possible impact on bilateral relations.

The Bangladesh foreign ministry said it was "outraged" by the development and reiterated its demand for Hasina's extradition.

India subsequently distanced itself from the interaction, maintaining that New Delhi had neither organised the event nor endorsed the former prime minister's remarks.

Hasina, 78, has been living in India since August 5, 2024, when she fled Bangladesh following violent student-led protests that led to the collapse of her government.

Her continued presence in India has remained a contentious issue in bilateral relations, with Dhaka repeatedly seeking her return.

Asked about Bangladesh's extradition demand, Jaiswal said the matter was legal in nature and would be dealt with accordingly.

𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻

Amid the diplomatic tensions, India had invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the outreach session of the BRICS summit held in New Delhi in September.

However, Rahman did not attend the summit, and there has been no clarity on whether he will undertake an official visit to India in the near future.

Despite the differences, New Delhi has maintained that existing institutional mechanisms provide opportunities to address outstanding issues and sustain bilateral cooperation.

Jaiswal reiterated that India remained willing to engage with Bangladesh on all matters of mutual concern through diplomatic and technical channels.