Bangladesh will raise key bilateral concerns, including extradition, visa services, border management and water-sharing, during Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming visit to India this week, as Dhaka seeks to restore relations on the basis of “mutual respect and mutual gains.”
Although the trip is being described as a goodwill visit, officials told UNB that substantive discussions are expected with New Delhi to better understand current dynamics and address priority issues for Bangladesh.
During the visit, the foreign minister is scheduled to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Bangladesh is expected to reiterate its request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with other accused individuals, including Faisal Karim Masud, who was arrested in Kolkata in connection with the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convenor of the Inqilab Mancha.
“It may take time but we want to see their return as soon as possible,” a senior official told UNB, referring to the extradition request.
Dhaka will also urge a more positive approach from India toward the full resumption of visa services, noting the potential benefits of medical tourism. Tourist visas for Bangladeshis have remained suspended since July 2024 on security grounds, while visa centres in Bangladesh remain understaffed, sources said.
Border management will also feature in the discussions, with Bangladesh stressing the need to prevent loss of life along the border. The two sides are also expected to discuss energy cooperation, trade facilitation, and water-sharing of common rivers.
The foreign minister is scheduled to depart for New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon before continuing on to Mauritius. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir will accompany him during the New Delhi leg of the visit.
Officials said both sides are working to recalibrate bilateral relations, which could open a new phase of cooperation across multiple sectors.
“The meeting between the two foreign ministers will be held in New Delhi on April 8,” a senior official told UNB, without providing further details.
Bangladesh and India share longstanding historical, cultural and linguistic ties, and officials noted that bilateral meetings typically cover all issues of mutual interest. The two sides are expected to discuss cooperation in energy, water sharing, border management, visa facilitation and people-to-people exchanges.
Water-sharing remains a sensitive issue, with Bangladesh continuing to seek an agreement on the Teesta River, the draft of which was finalised in 2011. The two countries share 54 common rivers, including the Teesta.
The Bangladesh-India Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, is set to expire in December this year. Discussions on its renewal have yet to begin formally, officials said. In July 2024, both sides had agreed to initiate talks, but no agreement has been concluded so far.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday reaffirmed India’s intent to work with Bangladesh in a “positive, constructive and forward-looking manner” based on mutual interest and benefit.
He conveyed the message during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, where both sides discussed expanding cooperation in areas including public health, trade and investment, technology partnerships, connectivity, and energy.
Diplomatic sources said Bangladesh will also take up the issue of a possible visit by the prime minister to India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already extended an invitation to Tarique Rahman, along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
Separately, Bangladesh and India have recently discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation, including joint training initiatives. The discussions took place when Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah met Indian Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi, where both sides explored opportunities to strengthen regional peace and security.