Tarique Rahman will receive highest honour in India: Dinesh Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has expressed optimism about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to India, saying he would receive the "highest honour" from New Delhi and that the trip could mark a "golden chapter" in relations between the two countries.

"I can assure you from Delhi that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will receive the highest honour. It will be a very memorable visit," Trivedi said at a reception hosted for a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at a five-star hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday evening (August 18).

Trivedi said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first foreign leader to congratulate Tarique Rahman after his election victory and invite him to India.

He described "unconditional trust" as the foundation of Bangladesh-India relations, saying outstanding issues could be resolved through dialogue. The two countries, he added, were connected not only by geography and history but also by the shared aspirations of their younger generations.

"We do not just share water; we share dreams," Trivedi said.

Referring to India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, the high commissioner said Modi had sent him to Bangladesh with that message.

The remarks came as speculation over Tarique Rahman's possible India visit has intensified in the media in both countries. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, however, said after the event that she had no new information on the proposed visit.

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has yet to announce a date for the visit but has urged India to help create a "conducive environment" for it.

Speaking at the event, Shama stressed the need to build stronger and more balanced economic ties between the two countries. She also urged Indian businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh and called for easier visa processing for Bangladeshi businesspeople.

The reception was attended by members of the CII delegation, leading Bangladeshi business figures and media representatives.