State Minister Humaiun Kobir emphasized that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is open to visiting India under a proper bilateral framework, highlighting the importance of dialogue to address challenges in Bangladesh-India relations. He expressed optimism about resolving issues and maintaining strategic autonomy while safeguarding national interests.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India for bilateral talks when conditions are conducive, stressing that the Prime Minister has never ruled out such a visit.
“To maintain relations with another country, bilateral engagement is required. We will do it directly. The visit will be bilateral, and we will talk,” Humaiun told reporters after speaking at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka.
He said Bangladesh-India relations face challenges but expressed confidence that they can be addressed through dialogue.
“There are challenges, but we believe those can be overcome through dialogue,” he said.
Asked whether Tarique could visit India this year, Humaiun said Bangladesh wants the visit to take place in a conducive environment and under a proper bilateral framework, but did not specify a timeframe.
“Nothing gets resolved just over a phone call. We are having discussions, and things are positive,” he said.
Humaiun also praised Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi for trying to understand Bangladesh’s current context and said Dhaka hoped New Delhi would give due importance to his assessments.
“The Indian High Commissioner here is doing a good job; he is trying,” Humaiun said.
“Hopefully, Delhi will be receptive to him and the opinions and analysis he provides regarding the context in Bangladesh.”
He said Bangladesh’s foreign policy is based on strategic autonomy, national interest and balanced engagement with all countries.
“Every country wants strategic autonomy. Bangladesh also wants it,” Kobir said, stressing that Dhaka would maintain open channels with its partners without compromising its national interests.
On the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which expires in December 2026, Humaiun said Bangladesh would seek an outcome that best serves its national interests.
Asked whether the existing treaty would be renewed or replaced with a new agreement, he said, “Whatever is best for Bangladesh’s interest will be done.”
On whether Bangladesh would seek a guarantee clause in a new agreement, Humaiun said Dhaka would work to safeguard its national interests and security.
“Whatever is best for Bangladesh’s national interest and security, we will work to ensure that,” he said.
Humaiun said discussions were already underway and Bangladesh was waiting for a response from its Indian counterparts.
“Our committee is ready. We are just waiting for the final response from our Indian counterparts. So yes, we are hopeful,” he said.
Humaiun said Bangladesh expects India to prevent individuals based in the country from using its territory to make political statements or engage in activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.
“Restraining a terrorist or extremist in their land is not too much to ask,” he said.
He said Bangladesh likewise would not allow anyone from India to use its territory to make statements against the Indian government.
“We don’t allow any terrorist coming from India to sit here and speak against the Indian government. So, it sends a bad message. We hope India will do that as well,” Humaiun said.
He said such restraint would help create a more stable environment for bilateral relations.
Despite differences, Humaiun described India as an important partner for Bangladesh.
“Regional cooperation is required, and India will be an important partner for Bangladesh,” he said.
“As we said, we never close the door to dialogue in diplomacy. It is always open,” he added.
Humaiun said Bangladesh would continue to engage with countries across the world while protecting its national interests.
“We will engage across the board,” he said.
He said Dhaka would approach its relationship with India with openness and candidness and seek to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.
“We are having positive discussions, and I am hopeful we will reach satisfactory conclusions,” he said.
On Tarique’s potential visit to India, Humaiun said the Prime Minister had never rejected the possibility.
“The Prime Minister never said no to visiting,” he said. “Certain things need to be addressed. We will reach a positive resolution through talks, and I am hopeful the visit will happen.”