Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has expressed optimism that outstanding issues between Dhaka and New Delhi can be resolved if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet.
Describing both leaders as “people’s persons,” Trivedi said direct engagement between the two leaders could help resolve many bilateral problems.
“I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence,” he told reporters after inaugurating a children’s playing area at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka on Sunday.
Trivedi said people of the two countries remain connected and expressed confidence that solutions would be found, stressing that there was “nothing negative” and that relations remained positive.
On Indian visas, the High Commissioner said demand from Bangladeshis was very high, while visa-processing capacity was gradually being increased.
India has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September in his capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC. A separate bilateral invitation for a visit to India was extended when he assumed office in February.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said the BRICS invitation was extended under the grouping’s standard practice of inviting heads of regional organisations to outreach sessions.
Meanwhile, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have faced renewed tensions following former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent virtual interaction with the media from New Delhi.
Bangladesh has strongly criticised the event and raised concerns over activities from Indian territory that it considers harmful to its interests.
India, however, has said its government had no role in the event and does not endorse statements made there. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India would continue to closely monitor developments in the neighbourhood while keeping its national security interests in mind.
