Dinesh Trivedi to be appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka

India is set to appoint Dinesh Trivedi, a former Union minister and senior BJP leader, as its next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. According to a report by Hindustan Times, Trivedi is likely to replace Pranay Verma, subject to necessary approvals.

If confirmed, this will mark a rare move by India, as it has not appointed a political figure as envoy to a neighboring country in recent years.

Trivedi previously served as India’s Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during his time with the All India Trinamool Congress. He resigned from the party on February 12, 2021, and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 6, 2021.

Before making the appointment official, India is expected to seek consent from the Government of Bangladesh.

The decision to send a seasoned 75-year-old politician as envoy is also being viewed as a signal to India’s diplomatic corps. The move comes at a time when both countries are attempting to rebuild ties following a period of strain after the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina. According to the report, New Delhi hopes Trivedi’s appointment will help restore bilateral relations between the two nations.