Bangladesh and India are preparing to hold a series of bilateral meetings in the coming weeks as both countries work to restart cooperation and improve relations after months of strained ties.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that New Delhi has already begun reactivating all channels of engagement with Dhaka, and discussions are taking place at the ministerial level.
He said, “We are getting down to reactivating all tools of bilateral relations. Contacts are being made at the ministerial level,” while speaking to a visiting Bangladeshi media team at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Monday.
Misri said there are more than 40 official cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, covering areas such as water sharing, trade, border management, security, connectivity, and consular affairs. Many of these were inactive during Bangladesh’s interim administration after last year’s political change.
He added that relations faced challenges during that time, but India is now re-engaging after the formation of an elected government led by BNP.
“Meetings are being scheduled. Results will be known in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
He described India’s approach as constructive, positive, and practical, focusing on people-centered relations.
Misri also highlighted that Bangladesh and India share a border of more than 4,000 kilometres and 54 shared rivers. He said Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in the region.
He added, “We want to progress and modernize our economic partnership with Bangladesh.”
On visa services, he said India is working to fully restore visa operations for Bangladeshi citizens, and further updates will come soon.
He also said trade issues will be among the first topics of discussion, aiming for benefits for businesses and people in both countries.
Regarding projects under India’s Line of Credit (LoC), he said both sides will review Bangladesh’s priority projects and discuss future funding plans.
On water sharing, he said the Joint Rivers Commission will continue technical talks on pending issues, including renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty and the long-pending Teesta agreement.
Responding to questions on regional relations, Misri said Bangladesh is free to manage its own foreign relations. He also expressed hope that mutual interests between Dhaka and New Delhi will be protected.