The Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, on Tuesday met the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, which is seen as further consultations amid efforts from both sides to take forward relations in a positive and constructive way.
Quoting diplomatic sources in New Delhi, BBC Bangla reported that his visit was intended to convey Dhaka’s current stance regarding Bangladesh prime minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India.
However, there has been no official statement regarding this visit from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, or Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office.
The Bangladesh state minister for foreign affairs, Humaiun Kobir, on Monday said the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India will take place at a conducive time.
‘I am hopeful about it. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has never said that he will not visit India. The Indian High Commissioner is making efforts, and hopefully, Delhi will be receptive to his views,’ he said.
High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, while talking to reporters in Dhaka recently, laid emphasis on proper preparations by both sides before the meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, noting that there is no benefit in rushing.
‘We have to make sure that proper preparations are made because many issues will have to be discussed - trade, commerce, water - many issues. We are very positive about the future,’ he said in response to a question.
After a courtesy meeting with the liberation war affairs minister, Ahmed Azam Khan, on Wednesday, the high commissioner said they have to give both prime ministers a convenient time.
‘As far as the Prime Minister’s visit is concerned, the atmosphere is absolutely positive,’ said the Indian envoy, noting that no discussion had been held about the timing or month, but the visit would definitely take place.
He said there would be no issues for which a solution could not be found if the two leaders met and sat together. ‘See, challenges will be there. If we think there are no challenges, that would be wrong.’
