Bangladesh aims for closer ties with India

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in New Delhi in the highest-level visit by a Dhaka envoy since the 2024 revolution that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Described as a “goodwill visit,” the meetings are expected to cover key issues including extradition, trade, water sharing, and border security, Dawn reports.

Jaishankar, who previously visited Dhaka in December to attend the funeral of former leader Khaleda Zia, said he was “pleased to host” Khalilur Rahman and that they had discussed “strengthening our bilateral relationship,” without providing further specifics.

Relations between the two countries have improved since Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), won a landslide election in February, replacing the interim administration that had governed the country of 170 million people following Hasina’s ouster.

Hasina has fled to India, remaining in hiding, which has strained ties between Dhaka and New Delhi. Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition; she was sentenced to death in absentia in November for orchestrating a deadly crackdown during the uprising.

The talks are also expected to include discussions on energy cooperation, as Bangladesh seeks to secure additional energy supplies amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva