Dhaka-New Delhi ties poised for fresh reset

India-Bangladesh relations appear set for a fresh diplomatic push as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on August 10 (tomorrow), with the proposed visit of the Bangladesh leader to New Delhi in September.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting is expected to focus on the broader state of bilateral relations and finalising the date for PM’s proposed visit to India in the second week of September.

The engagement comes after a period of political uncertainty and strain in relations between the two neighbours. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent public statements to Indian media have emerged as a source of irritation between Dhaka and New Delhi. Government and diplomatic sources said representatives from Bangladesh had communicated concerns to senior Indian officials over a public event involving Hasina in Delhi on August 5.

Despite the political sensitivities, cooperation in several important areas remains active, with both sides having an interest in preventing political disagreements from affecting practical cooperation, particularly in areas linked to economic stability and national security.

The PM’s proposed September visit could provide an opportunity for the two governments to establish a fresh political framework for bilateral cooperation and address issues that have emerged during the recent period of diplomatic uncertainty.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, also chairman of BRICS, has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12�"13. The invitation was extended in recognition of Bangladesh's role as the current chair of BIMSTEC.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the invitation was made in accordance with the established practice of inviting leaders of regional organisations to BRICS outreach sessions.

The summit is expected to discuss a range of international issues, including major economic and geopolitical challenges and the consequences of the continuing crisis in West Asia.

Bangladesh's participation in the BRICS outreach session as BIMSTEC chair would give Dhaka an opportunity to engage directly with a wider group of emerging economies and highlight the priorities of the Bay of Bengal region.

Meanwhile, energy cooperation is emerging as an important component of the bilateral relationship. Bangladesh has sought Indian assistance to meet its growing energy requirements, including the supply of around 200,000 tonnes of diesel annually, as well as cooperation in power-grid technology, smart-grid systems and technical training.

Indian envoy Trivedi recently held a nearly two-hour meeting with Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, during which discussions reportedly focused on Bangladesh's growing energy needs and possible areas for expanded Indian assistance. Dhaka has also sought cooperation in around 25 areas of the energy sector. Trivedi is understood to have agreed in principle to long-term cooperation and assistance in the sector. 

The upcoming meeting between Trivedi and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman comes at a critical juncture in bilateral relations. While recent political developments have created tensions, both countries continue to have strong practical interests in maintaining cooperation and bilateral ties.

The proposed September visit to New Delhi, coupled with Bangladesh's invitation to the BRICS outreach session, could provide a broader platform for resetting Dhaka-New Delhi relations overreaching the current political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries.