Trivedi hopeful of early Tarique visit to India

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India will take place "much sooner", saying top-level engagement is the best way to address differences between the two countries.

"Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," Trivedi said on Sunday night.

Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, honorary consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Baridhara, the envoy said Bangladesh and India "do not only share a border, they really share a dream".

He said the two countries have their own space, differences and arguments, which are natural for sovereign nations, but their shared goals should bring them together.

"We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay. But as long as our goals are the same, that we want people, not only of these two countries, but all over the world, to have dignity, respect, mutual respect for each other," he said.

"And that's what we strive for. And I sincerely wish... My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh."

Highlighting his efforts towards that goal, Trivedi said the two countries have to move forward.

The Indian envoy described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "people's persons", saying their common focus could help resolve bilateral issues through direct engagement.
"Both are people's persons, and the objective is the same," he said.

He added: "When two such leaders meet and interact, there is no problem, there is no issue, which cannot be discussed and which cannot be sorted out."

Trivedi also stressed that Bangladesh and India are two sovereign countries with their own challenges.

"We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy. No matter how chaotic democracy is..."

Ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka, former diplomats, businesspeople, city elites, and former civil and defence officials attended the dinner.