People’s interests must be prioritised to strengthen Bangladesh-India ties: Dinesh Trivedi

Relations between Bangladesh and India are not limited to interactions between the governments of the two countries. The relationship is also deeply connected to people-to-people ties, shared interests and expectations, said Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan and State Minister Mir Shahe Alam at the Secretariat on Tuesday (1 September).

During the interaction, the Indian high commissioner also conveyed his greetings to BNP leaders and activists on the occasion of the party’s founding anniversary.

Dinesh Trivedi said India attaches great importance to maintaining friendly relations between the people of Bangladesh and India. Any decision taken by either country has a direct or indirect impact on ordinary people. Therefore, the relationship between the two countries should move forward by prioritising people’s welfare, he said.

He also noted that, as neighbouring countries, both Bangladesh and India have a greater responsibility to cooperate with each other.
Saying that he did not wish to comment on Bangladesh’s domestic politics, the Indian high commissioner said the elected government would determine which decisions would best serve the interests of the people.

He said neither country is bigger or smaller than the other. He also said he had been learning a great deal since taking up his assignment in Bangladesh. According to him, the dreams and aspirations of people in the two countries have many similarities.

Dinesh Trivedi stressed the need to look towards future opportunities rather than remain focused on differences of the past. Challenges may arise along the way, he said, but the two countries need to address them and expand the scope of development and cooperation.

He also said the meeting discussed expanding opportunities for free trade between Bangladesh and India in the future.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said the Indian high commissioner shared his experience and views on local government elections during the meeting.

The Bangladesh side informed him that the government plans to hold local government elections within the current fiscal year.

The state minister said conducting the elections freely, fairly and impartially would be a major challenge for the government.

He stressed that, in a democratic system, the process of electing local representatives through the people’s votes must be carried out properly.

Mir Shahe Alam added that the meeting with the Indian high commissioner was primarily a courtesy call. Although the discussions covered bilateral relations, cooperation and local government elections, among other issues, the entire meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere.