Dhaka and New Delhi have been in communication over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India since before August 5, with discussions covering a bilateral meeting between the two prime ministers and the agenda for the visit.
The date was close to being finalized, but former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s August 5 press conference in Delhi, following her conviction for crimes against humanity, created uncertainty over the planned visit.
Diplomatic and Foreign Ministry sources said no final decision had yet been made.
Dhaka, Delhi seek new equation
India maintained close ties with the Awami League government during its 17-year rule but did not enjoy a similar relationship with the BNP.
Six months after taking office following years in political exile, Tarique is now being considered for his first official visit to India as prime minister.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi had indicated that he could visit New Delhi at the end of August. However, the timing remains uncertain.
Two invitations are behind the proposed visit — one for a bilateral visit and another to attend the BRICS summit.
Bangladesh is almost certain to attend the BRICS summit in September, but Tarique’s bilateral visit remains uncertain.
A diplomatic source said a final announcement could come next week, depending on ongoing communication between the two countries.
Soon after Tarique took office in February, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him to visit India on a bilateral trip. India has also invited him to attend the BRICS summit.
The 18th BRICS summit will be held in Delhi on September 12 and 13. Bangladesh, although not a BRICS member, has been invited as a special guest to the outreach session as the current chair of BIMSTEC.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said the invitation letter was sent to the Foreign Ministry through the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on July 14 and forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office on July 23.
On August 18, Shama said she had no update on the India visit and referred queries to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Visit seen as test of trust
Diplomatic analysts say Tarique’s visit would test efforts to rebuild trust between Bangladesh and India.
Relations have come under strain since the fall of the Awami League government during the August 2024 uprising and Sheikh Hasina’s subsequent refuge in India.
The BNP has historically maintained some distance from India. Tarique’s visit could therefore signal Dhaka’s intention to base ties with New Delhi on practical interests rather than ideology.
For Delhi, losing Bangladesh would also be strategically costly. Dhaka remains important to India in countering Chinese influence, ensuring security in the northeastern states and facilitating transit.
The Modi government has consequently shown an interest in working with the Tarique Rahman government.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to Delhi in April and Tarique’s courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi on August 10 were part of that engagement, diplomatic sources said.
Key issues likely to dominate talks
Although the agenda has not been finalized, several issues are likely to receive priority.
According to Foreign Ministry officials, discussions have included Sheikh Hasina’s return, the extradition of suspects in the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, the sharing of transboundary river waters, India’s cooperation in importing electricity from Nepal, and border management.
Trade and transit, energy cooperation and regional security are also expected to feature.
A Foreign Ministry official told Bangla Tribune that, alongside extradition, the water-sharing agreement would receive particular attention.
The existing agreement expires in December, and Bangladesh and India have been negotiating a new one. The negotiations could be finalized during the proposed visit, the official said.
Dhaka says ‘favourable environment’ lacking
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi said the situation surrounding Hasina had raised questions about whether a “favourable environment” existed for the visit.
Dhaka has expressed concern over India allowing Hasina to hold press conferences and make what it describes as “provocative” statements about Bangladesh.
Following her August 5 press conference, Dhaka issued a strong reaction and had already raised the issue several times through diplomatic correspondence.
The Foreign Ministry said on August 17 that Bangladesh and India had been in communication over Tarique’s possible visit for several weeks, but the process was affected by Hasina’s press conference.
“We have made our position clear on this matter. Our view is that an appropriate environment needs to be created for this visit,” the ministry spokesperson said.
Bangladesh has asked India to quickly extradite Hasina and other fugitive convicts and has also requested the handover of those accused of killing Hadi under the relevant treaty.
The spokesperson said Bangladesh would continue to follow its “Balance First” policy, based on sovereignty, equality, national dignity, non-interference and mutual benefit.
Dhaka formally requested Hasina’s extradition after she was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal in a crimes-against-humanity case. India has said it is examining the matter through its legal process.
Delhi keen on Modi-Tarique meeting
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has repeatedly said that no problem between the two countries is beyond resolution through dialogue.
He met Tarique for the first time on August 10 and travelled to Delhi later that day, briefing Modi about the meeting the following day.
Speaking on August 18, Trivedi said Modi had emphasized the need for the two prime ministers to meet.
“After meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, I went directly to Delhi and had an excellent meeting with our prime minister. He mentioned only one thing: our meeting has to take place,” Trivedi said.
He said Modi had assured that Tarique would receive the “respectful reception” he deserved and that the visit would be memorable.
Former Indian diplomat Vidya Bhushan Soni expressed optimism, saying the visit could open a new opportunity to strengthen ties and resolve long-standing issues.
Former diplomat Veena Sikri, however, said the window for the visit was very limited. She said linking the visit to Hasina’s extradition would be “unnecessary” and “undiplomatic” and inconsistent with the objective of extradition.