Bangladesh and India are set to hold a series of bilateral meetings in the coming weeks as the two neighbours move to reactivate dormant cooperation mechanisms and rebuild engagement following months of strained relations.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi has begun reactivating all channels of bilateral engagement with Dhaka, with contacts already taking place at the ministerial level.
“We are getting down to reactivating all tools of bilateral relations. Contacts are being made at the ministerial level,” Misri told a visiting Bangladeshi media delegation at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Monday.
He said Bangladesh and India have more than 40 institutional mechanisms covering water sharing, trade, border management, security, connectivity and consular affairs, many of which remained inactive during Bangladesh’s interim administration following the political transition last year.
Misri acknowledged that bilateral relations had faced challenges during that period but said India is now re-engaging with Bangladesh following the formation of an elected government led by BNP.
“Meetings are being scheduled. Results will be known in the coming weeks and months,” he added.
He described India’s approach towards Bangladesh as constructive, positive and pragmatic, placing people at the centre of bilateral relations.
Highlighting the depth of ties, Misri said the two countries share over 4,000 kilometres of border and 54 transboundary rivers, while Bangladesh remains India’s largest trading partner in the region.
“We want to progress and modernize our economic partnership with Bangladesh,” he said.
On visa services, Misri said India is working to fully restore visa operations for Bangladeshi citizens, adding that further developments would be known in the coming days.
He also said trade issues would be among the first items to be discussed as both sides seek mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses and people in both countries.
Regarding projects under India’s Line of Credit (LoC), Misri said both sides would review Bangladesh’s priority projects and discuss future financing arrangements accordingly.
On water sharing, he said the Joint Rivers Commission would continue technical discussions on pending issues, including the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty and the long-awaited Teesta agreement.
Responding to questions on regional diplomacy, Misri said Bangladesh is sovereign in managing its relations with other countries, while expressing hope that bilateral interests between Dhaka and New Delhi would remain protected.
MSH
