India, Bangladesh can resolve issues if Tarique, Modi meet: Dinesh Trivedi
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday expressed optimism that outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India could be resolved if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet, describing both leaders as “people’s persons”.
“I listened to his (Tarique’s) speeches many times. He is a people’s person, and our Prime Minister (Modi) is also a people’s person. 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 play area at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC).
“I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive,” he said.
Trivedi also said there was significant demand for Indian visas and that the capacity to process applications was gradually being increased.
On August 4, India confirmed that it had invited Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC. A separate bilateral invitation to visit India has been in place since February this year.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, with global cooperation, trade and sustainable development among the key areas of focus.
“You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi.
Regarding the BRICS Summit, Randhir said India had separately invited Tarique, 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 summit.
BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping in April 2025 for a two-year term, 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.
Meanwhile, fresh tensions have emerged between Dhaka and New Delhi following ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent speech in New Delhi, drawing strong reactions in Bangladesh.
The development has added to existing sensitivities in bilateral relations, with Dhaka expressing concerns over activities from Indian territory that it considers detrimental to Bangladesh’s interests.
Amid what Bangladesh described as “outrage”, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had “no role” in Hasina’s recent press conference in New Delhi and did not endorse the remarks made there.
“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,” Randhir said.
Responding to a question during the MEA’s regular briefing in New Delhi, he said the Indian government had no role in the event, which was organised 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.
Randhir also said India continued to closely monitor developments in neighbouring countries while keeping its national security interests in mind and would take whatever measures were necessary in that regard.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said it was “outraged” that the absconding “convicted genocider” Hasina was allowed on Wednesday evening to participate in a live interaction with the media in New Delhi, where she and her “henchmen launched venomous vitriol” against Bangladesh and its people.