Dhaka: India and Bangladesh continue work on strengthening bilateral partnerships

March 3, 2026

Dhaka: India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, on Tuesday held a series of meetings with ministers of the newly formed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government led by Tarique Rahman, discussing ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Verma called on Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh’s Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, to explore areas of common interest, including strengthening cooperation in local governance structures and rural development.

Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral engagement in areas such as rural economy, agricultural cooperatives, and financial empowerment at the grassroots level.

“High Commissioner underlined that India-Bangladesh relations are founded on people-to-people ties and that India remains ready to engage with Bangladesh in a positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner to promote people-centric cooperation in all domains based on mutual interest and mutual benefit,” the Indian High Commission posted on X.

Focus on 1971 Legacy and Security Cooperation

Earlier in the day, Verma also met Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bangladesh’s Minister of Liberation War Affairs, reaffirming the strong historical bonds between the two countries rooted in the shared sacrifices during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

“They underlined the importance of working together on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries,” the High Commission stated.

On Sunday, the Indian envoy met Salahuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s Minister for Home Affairs, with discussions covering bilateral issues of common interest, including security cooperation.

Verma also held talks with Md. Asaduzzaman, Bangladesh’s Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

During these engagements, the High Commissioner conveyed India’s willingness to work closely with the ruling BNP government to strengthen people-centric cooperation across multiple domains based on mutual interests, benefits, and sensitivities.

Recalibration of Ties

Last month, Verma called on Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to express India’s desire to engage constructively with the new government and enhance cooperation across all sectors.

These meetings reflect what observers describe as a recalibration of ties between India and Bangladesh, which had faced strain during the 18-month tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government amid escalating attacks on Hindu minorities and rising anti-India rhetoric.