Bangladesh’s foreign minister Khalilur Rahman is expected to visit New Delhi in April, marking the first such trip since the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office in Dhaka. People familiar with the matter said the visit is likely to be a brief stopover on April 8 as Rahman travels to Mauritius for the Indian Ocean Conference.
As per a report by the Hindustan Times, the proposed visit comes amid efforts by both sides to ease tensions and rebuild engagement after a period of strain. Last month, India’s high commissioner Pranay Verma met Rahman in Dhaka and conveyed an invitation from external affairs minister S Jaishankar for an early visit, signalling New Delhi’s intent to revitalise ties.
First foreign trip still undecided
There has been no official announcement from Dhaka on the prime minister’s first foreign visit. However, the people cited above said Tarique Rahman is unlikely to pick India or China for his maiden trip, as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government seeks to project a balanced foreign policy.
Instead, a neighbouring country is being considered, with Bhutan and the Maldives in focus. Thimphu is widely expected to be the likely destination. “Prime Minister Rahman wants to build stronger relations within the region and also signal his thanks to the regional leaders who attended his inauguration,” one of the people said.
Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka on February 17. India was represented by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Exchange of letters signals thaw
Recent communication between the two sides has underlined a willingness to move forward. In a letter dated February 26, Tarique Rahman acknowledged India’s “kind gesture” of sending Birla to the ceremony and said he valued Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “kind reflection on the historic and long-standing ties between our two countries”.
“Bangladesh accords high importance to its relationship with India, a partnership shaped by history, culture, geography that we share. Our two people share considerable commonality and enjoy deep-rooted ties,” he said.
He added that Dhaka aims to advance ties based on “dignity, equality, mutual trust and respect [and] benefit sharing”. “I do believe, if Dhaka and Delhi would address issues in ways that yield gains for the common people, there is so much that our two countries can accomplish in shared interests,” he said.
“As our government assumes office with a robust mandate, we look forward to advancing our ties and engagements with India premised on dignity, equality, mutual trust and respect [and] benefit sharing. I do believe, if Dhaka and Delhi would address issues in ways that yield gains for the common people, there is so much that our two countries can accomplish in shared interests,” he further added.
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Rahman also referred to India’s “Vikshit Bharat 2047” vision and said both countries could “reinvigorate our cooperative engagements to secure peace, harmony, stability and prosperity for all people in the longest time”.
Past strains, cautious reset
Both sides have signalled readiness to move beyond past friction. India has indicated openness to a fresh start, while the BNP has suggested it will look ahead despite earlier differences over New Delhi’s ties with the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina, who was ousted during a student-led uprising in August 2024, remains in self-exile in India. New Delhi has not yet responded to Dhaka’s request for her extradition.
