India appears keen to host Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with an accidentally disclosed email from the Indian president’s office revealing preparations for a possible official welcome.The email said a scheduled ‘Change of Guard’ ceremony had been cancelled to make room for a rehearsal for Tarique’s welcome. It was withdrawn within hours, but the disclosure fuelled speculation over his possible first India visit since taking office.Tarique has yet to approve the trip. His press secretary AAM Saleh told the BBC that no decision had been made.India sees the new BNP-led government as an opportunity to rebuild bilateral ties, but Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India remains a major obstacle. Bangladesh has formally sought her extradition after a tribunal sentenced her to death over allegations linked to the 2024 uprising. India says it is considering the request.New Delhi has nevertheless extended a formal invitation to Tarique, while Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi has indicated that he would receive a high-level welcome.The two neighbours share a 4,096-kilometre border and had bilateral trade worth more than $12 billion last year. Cooperation expanded significantly during Hasina’s 15-year rule, particularly in transport, ports and security, but her close ties with India later became controversial in Bangladesh.Tensions rose further after Hasina spoke virtually from Delhi on August 5, criticising the Tarique-led government. Dhaka protested, while India said it had no role in the event.With Bangladesh also showing interest in emerging cooperation among Muslim-majority countries and set to attend a BRICS event in India as a special guest, a potential Tarique visit could become an important test of the two countries’ efforts to reset relations.
সহজ ও দ্রুত খবরের আপডেট পেতে আমাদের অ্যাপটি ইন্সটল করুন।
