India-Bangladesh issues can be resolved if Modi, Tarique sit for talks: Trivedi

Many outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India could be resolved if Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi sit down for direct talks, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said.

Trivedi made the remarks while speaking to reporters after inaugurating a children’s play area inside the Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka Sunday (August 9).

Highlighting what he described as the positive aspects of bilateral relations, Trivedi said India has great respect for Tarique Rahman and praised the Bangladeshi prime minister for speaking from the heart.

“We respect Prime Minister Tarique Rahman a lot. I have heard his speeches many times and I have seen that he speaks from the heart. He is a man of the people, and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also a man of the people,” Trivedi said.

“I feel that when these two leaders sit down and discuss, many problems will be resolved,” he added.

The Indian envoy said dialogue itself helps identify problems and expressed optimism that differences between the two countries could be addressed through engagement.

“My belief is that the people are one, and the problems will be solved. There is nothing negative here; everything will be positive,” he said.

Trivedi’s comments come as Dhaka and New Delhi seek to rebuild bilateral ties after a period of strained relations. His appointment as India’s High Commissioner marked a notable political choice by New Delhi, with Trivedi, a former Union minister and BJP leader, succeeding career diplomat Pranay Verma.

Trivedi formally assumed charge in June and has since emphasized closer cooperation and stronger bilateral engagement.

The High Commissioner is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, August 10, in what is expected to be their first meeting. Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest are likely to feature in the discussion.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of several unresolved issues between the two neighbours, making high-level political engagement particularly significant as both sides seek to put their relationship on a more stable footing.