Describing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as people’s persons, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday expressed optimism about sorting out solutions to issues between the two countries if the two leaders meet.
“I listened to his (PM Tarique) speeches many times…. He is a people’s person, our Prime Minister (Modi), too. I think when two leaders meet a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence,” he told reporters.
The High Commissioner said people are united and there will certainly be a solution. “I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive.”
He made the remarks after inaugurating the ‘Children Playing Area’ at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in the afternoon.
The High Commissioner said there is huge demand for Indian visas and the capacity is gradually increasing.
On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, focusing on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.
"You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi.
As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
"The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner," the MEA spokesperson said.
BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
In April last year, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development, a senior official told UNB.
"We are reviewing it now. We will take a decision and inform you immediately," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur told reporters on July 29 when asked about Bangladesh's response to the invitation.
Fresh tensions have surfaced between Dhaka and New Delhi following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent speech in New Delhi, with her remarks drawing strong reactions in Bangladesh.
The development has added a new strain to already sensitive bilateral ties, as Dhaka has expressed concerns over activities from Indian territory that it considers detrimental to Bangladesh’s interests.
Amid stated 'outrage' from Bangladesh, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had "no role" to play in deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent press conference in New Delhi, nor does it endorse what was said at the event, where Sheikh Hasina spoke virtually.
"I have already stated the government's position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks. I am reiterating it here," said Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal.
Responding to a question at the MEA's regular briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the Indian government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity.
"And the government does not endorse anything said at the Forum, especially with regard to the duly-constituted government of Bangladesh," he said.
The MEA Spokesperson also said they continued to closely follow developments that happen in their neighborhood, keeping their national security interests in mind, and would take whatever measures have to be taken in that regard.
Bangladesh was "outraged" that the absconding “convicted genocider” Sheikh Hasina was allowed on Wednesday evening to engage in live interaction with the media in New Delhi where she and her "henchmen launched venomous vitriol" against Bangladesh and her people, according to a terse statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) here in Dhaka Wednesday night.
