India and Bangladesh have resumed official-level talks to schedule a diplomatic visit for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi. The visit might targeted for a suitable window in November with aims to reset bilateral ties following a brief disruption.
Diplomatic relations strained in August after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina currently in exile in India held a virtual press conference that sparked outrage in Dhaka. Now, officials from both nations are focusing on a forward-looking agenda also prioritizing the normalization of bilateral trade and discussions on renewing the vital Ganga Water Treaty.
In recent days, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi has held meetings with key Bangladeshi officials including Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Mahdi Amin. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir affirmed Dhaka's intent to "reset" relations noting the government is waiting for a "conducive" moment for a high-level visit. This strategic pause explains Bangladesh's recent absence from the BRICS Summit, despite Rahman holding the chairmanship of BIMSTEC.
Backchannel communications preceded this diplomatic thaw. According to sources, Rahman maintained consistent contact with New Delhi during his years in London. He notably sent an emissary in February 2024 to gauge India’s mood following the controversial January elections. This engagement aligns with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) broader strategic shift and initiated in 2018 on Tarique Rahman's instructions to correct its historically hostile stance toward India.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina has remained in an undisclosed Indian location since fleeing a mass uprising on August 5, 2024. In the aftermath of her government's fall, she and several former top officials have received death sentences from Dhaka’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for their roles in the violent crackdowns against protesters in July and August.
With legacy issues being addressed by the tribunals, the current administration in Dhaka is now pivoting to stabilize the economy and secure vital diplomatic partnerships in the region.
