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Bangladesh FM's India Visit Aims to Reset Ties After "Negative" Interim Period

Former Indian envoy Veena Sikri has termed the visit of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to India as "good and important" for bilateral relations. She highlighted that India welcomed the new BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with relief after his substantial election win. Sikri contrasted this with the "negative trend" in relations during the 18-month interim government of Professor Muhammad Yunus, which she said reversed key trade and connectivity decisions. The visit, the first high-level one since the new government took office, is seen as an opportunity to bolster the historic partnership between the two nations.

Key Points: Bangladesh FM Visits India to Bolster Ties Post-Yunus Era

  • First high-level visit from new BNP govt
  • Aim to reset ties after interim period
  • Yunus era saw negative trend
  • India welcomed BNP election win
  • Focus on trade and connectivity
2 min read

"Good and important": Ex-envoy Veena Sikri as Bangladesh FM begins India's visit

Ex-envoy Veena Sikri calls Bangladesh FM's India visit "good and important" to reset relations after downturn under Muhammad Yunus's interim government.

"It is both good and important that the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh is visiting India. - Veena Sikri"

New Delhi, April 8

Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, said that the visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is "good and important" as both nations look to bolster bilateral ties after India-Bangladesh relations nosedived under Muhammad Yunus's interim government

Speaking with ANI, Sikri highlighted the positive efforts of India to welcome the new Tarique Rahman-led BNP government.

"It is both good and important that the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh is visiting India. India welcomed the new BNP government led by PM Tarique Rahman with a great sense of relief. He won the election with a substantial majority, and this was seen as reassuring because the alternative would have been Jamaat-e-Islami coming to power," she told ANI.

Speaking about the 18-month Yunus interim government after Sheikh Hasina was ousted, Sikri noted the "negative trend" in India-Bangladesh relations as she said Jamaat-e-Islami was "widely perceived as the power behind the throne."

"During the 18 months when Professor Muhammad Yunus served as Chief Advisor in the interim regime, Jamaat-e-Islami was widely perceived as the power behind the throne. At that time, we witnessed a very negative trend in India-Bangladesh relations. Professor Yunus made strong statements and reversed many of the trade and connectivity decisions that had been implemented over the 15 years of PM Sheikh Hasina's tenure," she said.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome.

This is the first high-level visit from Bangladesh to India after the formation of the new government in Dhaka under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

"Warm welcome to FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh on his arrival in New Delhi today. India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people-to-people relations. The visit will further bolster India-Bangladesh partnership," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Veena Sikri's analysis is spot on. The fear of Jamaat-e-Islami's influence was real for many Indians, given their historical stance. A friendly, stable Bangladesh is not just good diplomacy, it's essential for regional security and prosperity. Welcome, FM Rahman!
R
Rohit P
While I agree the visit is important, we must be cautious. Our foreign policy should be consistent and not appear to celebrate the ouster of a previously friendly government like Hasina's. We need long-term partnerships, not just convenient ones.
S
Sarah B
The people-to-people ties mentioned are so true. Have family in both countries. When politics gets rocky, it's the common people who suffer—students, traders, families. Hope this resets things for smoother travel and trade again.
V
Vikram M
Connectivity projects are key! The article mentions reversed decisions. The rail and power links discussed earlier must be prioritized. It benefits Assam, Tripura, West Bengal directly. Good economics makes for good politics.
K
Karthik V
Professor Yunus is a Nobel laureate, but his interim period seems to have been problematic for ties. It's a reminder that governance and foreign policy need different skills. Hope the new government has a clear, positive agenda with India.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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