Senior Correspondent, Dhaka:
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, just a day after his talks with Bangladesh’s top leadership in Dhaka, signals a potentially important phase in India-Bangladesh relations.
Trivedi’s three meetings in Dhaka—with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed—gave him an opportunity to take stock of Bangladesh’s priorities before returning to New Delhi. His subsequent meeting with Modi appears aimed at carrying those messages directly to the Indian leadership as both sides explore ways to rebuild a more constructive relationship.
According to diplomatic sources, Trivedi sought Modi’s guidance on strengthening the bilateral relationship through a constructive and people-centric approach. The emphasis on people-centric cooperation is significant, as relations between the neighbors have faced considerable political strain in recent years.
The meetings in Dhaka also covered sensitive areas, including security cooperation. Trivedi conveyed India’s willingness to expand cooperation based on mutual interests, benefits and sensitivities. Such language suggests that New Delhi is seeking to move beyond political disagreements and preserve practical cooperation in areas that directly affect both countries.
However, the issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains a major obstacle to any meaningful reset. Bangladesh continues to seek her extradition from India under the existing bilateral treaty, while Dhaka has repeatedly criticized New Delhi for allowing her to remain politically active from Indian territory.
The issue gained fresh prominence after Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman reiterated that Hasina would receive full security and legal rights if she returned to Bangladesh to face judicial proceedings. He also said Bangladesh expected India to cooperate with her extradition and warned that her political activities in India could affect future bilateral relations.
This creates a difficult diplomatic balance for New Delhi. India has an interest in maintaining stable ties with the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, but the Hasina issue remains closely linked to domestic politics and public sentiment in Bangladesh.
Trivedi’s consultations with both Dhaka’s leadership and Modi therefore carry significance beyond routine diplomatic engagement. They indicate that both sides may be testing the political space for a gradual reset, while recognizing that unresolved issues—particularly Hasina’s status, security cooperation and mutual sensitivities—will continue to shape the relationship.
