New equations emerging in Indo-Bangladesh relations, Indian high commissioner visits BNP headquarter and holds positive discussion with BNP secretary general

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 1, 2024

Amidst the current political chaos in Bangladesh and strain in ties with India, a new horizon seems to be opening in Indo-Bangladesh relations with the Indian high commissioner Pranay Verma visiting the headquarter of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday and holding ‘positive’ discussion with the party’s secretary general Mirza Faqrul Alamgir. Earlier on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York the Indian external affairs minister S.Jayshankar had held meaningful discussion with senior diplomatic representatives of Bangladesh . However considerable significance is being attached by political and diplomatic observers in both the countries to the meeting held by Pranay Verma with Mirza Faqrul Alamgir.

In an interview with the Indian news agency Asia News International (ANI) on yesterday’s meeting BNP secretary general Mirza Faqrul Alamgir said that the discussion yesterday had centred on “normal relations between the two countries , water sharing , border killing and trade deficit”. He said that India’s main concern is over the security and he has assured the Indian envoy that “ if BNP comes to power the party will ensure that the soil of Bangladesh is never used by separatists inimical to India”.

Mirza Faqrul also said that the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh was always cordial but there was some confusion over the relation between the government of India and BNP. “I firmly believe that the ice has started melting and from now on the relation will be far better ; I hope the government of India will try to appreciate the situation and psychology of people in our country ; they should not keep all the eggs in a single basket (Awami League) but try to improve people-to-people contact and relation” said Mirza Faqrul in the interview.

He also expressed satisfaction over the Indian high commissioner’s visit to the BNP office and said that misgivings over certain issues in the post-election scenario in Bangladesh had ended with the high commissioner’s visit. The BNP had boycotted the last election held in the month of January to the Bangladesh National Assembly (BNA) but now the party is convinced that a new chapter in the bilateral relation with India will be opened in the changed circumstances.