Foreign Minister leaves for Delhi today to reset Bangladesh-India ties

Nearly one and a half years of strain later, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is travelling to Delhi on Tuesday, April 7, to usher in a new chapter in Bangladesh-India relations. During the three-day visit, discussions will cover renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, removal of trade barriers, border killings, and extradition of Bangladeshi nationals residing in India.

The foreign minister will undertake the visit before attending the Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. While diplomatic circles have termed it a 'courtesy visit', officials say the tour will set the direction for the future of bilateral ties.

Whom the foreign minister will meet
Upon arriving in Delhi, the foreign minister will meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday evening, according to foreign ministry sources.

On Wednesday, April 8, he will hold bilateral talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He will also have courtesy meetings with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The foreign minister will be accompanied by Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir. This is the first visit to India by any Bangladeshi minister since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government took office on February 17.

Ganges treaty renewal to feature prominently
The 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed between Bangladesh and India on December 12, 1996. The treaty is set to expire on December 12 this year.

A senior foreign ministry official said renewal of the treaty will be a key agenda item during the visit.

"There are 54 common rivers between Bangladesh and India. The Ganges is one of the most significant, and the Ganges treaty is the most important for Bangladesh. With the treaty expiring, discussions on its renewal are urgent," he said. Discussions may also cover sharing of water from the Teesta and other rivers.

Efforts to 'restart' relations
Bangladesh-India relations faced severe strain following the July uprising last year. During the interim government period, there were tit-for-tat statements and multiple summoning of diplomats over issues including the demand to return Sheikh Hasina, border killings and minority security. Bangladesh also accused Indian media of running 'false and exaggerated propaganda'.

A senior foreign ministry official said, "There is no denying that relations between the two countries stalled after the July uprising. We want to restart relations from that point. We want to work with mutual benefit in mind."

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said, "Hard detail discussions will take place later. This is the beginning: 'Let us open the path for dialogue'."

Extradition of criminals to be discussed
A foreign ministry official said extradition of Bangladeshi criminals residing in India may also come up during the talks. "We believe India will extradite the accused in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, chief of Inqilab Manch. However, there is a legal process involved."

Discussions may also take place on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the official said. "Sheikh Hasina and several political leaders are there. We sent a letter during the previous government requesting her extradition. We will raise this again."

Visa and trade cooperation
Visa facilitation, energy cooperation, and removal of existing barriers and restrictions on bilateral trade may also feature in the discussions. Detailed talks on these issues are expected during the meeting with the Indian commerce minister.

Amid the strained relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed willingness to work together in a message of condolence following the death of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, mother of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, last December. Later, Jaishankar visited Dhaka and met Tarique Rahman. Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the inauguration of the new BNP government on February 17. These events have helped restore a positive trajectory in relations.

Against this backdrop, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is heading to Delhi. After the meetings in Delhi, he will leave for Mauritius on April 9.