Efforts continue for PM Tarique's India visit this month: HT

Plans for a visit to India by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman early next week have fallen through, though the two sides remain in touch to explore the possibility of a trip within August, Hindustan Times reported today (22 August) citing people familiar with the matter.

Preparations had begun for a possible visit by Tarique during 23–24 August, including a ceremonial welcome and banquet at India's Rashtrapati Bhavan and official meetings on the second day, but sources said it was not going ahead.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not give any reasons for the change in plans.

Backchannel contacts between the two sides, involving Humaiun Kobir – previously the PM's foreign affairs adviser and elevated to the status of state minister for foreign affairs yesterday – are continuing to explore the possibility of arranging Tarique's visit later this month, one of the people said, according to Hindustan Times.

When asked at a regular media briefing yesterday about the confusion surrounding the possible visit, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "I have nothing to say on this matter. If there is an update, I will share it with you."

Asked about the withdrawn Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué yesterday, the sources acknowledged that it was part of preparations being put in place for a possible visit by the Bangladeshi prime minister.

Invitations had also been issued for the official banquet to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow before being rescinded, they said.

Humaiun told BSS on Thursday (20 August) that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India could take place once an appropriate environment is created based on mutual trust and confidence between the two countries, respect for each other's sovereignty, diplomatic dialogue and a dignified invitation, rather than through any haste.

He said, "Although there has been speculation in the Indian media about the prime minister's visit ahead of the BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi on 12–13 September, Bangladesh has adopted a policy of not rushing into anything at this moment without specific national interests and consensus."

"Reports in the Indian media about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India are baseless and based on speculation. 

"The bilateral relationship between the two countries and a high-level visit by Bangladesh's head of government depend on a change in the mindset or approach of India's current leadership. The neighbouring country must properly understand the reality of the July Uprising in Bangladesh, which came at the cost of more than 1,500 lives," he added. 

Tarique's visit is seen as key to efforts by the two sides to normalise bilateral relations following a period of unprecedented strain that began with the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime through the uprising in August 2024.

Hasina's presence in India, where she fled following the fall of her government, and her use of Indian soil to make political speeches have now emerged as the main irritants in bilateral ties.