Trivedi urges India-Bangladesh dialogue amid strain over Rahman visit

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said India and Bangladesh must resolve differences through dialogue. His remarks signal hope for Tarique Rahman's early India visit despite fresh tensions over Sheikh Hasina's extradition.Image used for representational purposes onlyIndian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday said challenges are an inherent part of democracy and that differences between India and Bangladesh can only be resolved through dialogue. He also said he was hopeful that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India "should take place much sooner".His remarks came amid uncertainty over Rahman's proposed visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13 and fresh strain in bilateral ties over Dhaka's demand for the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Officials of the two countries have been in touch for several weeks, but Bangladesh has said a "propitious environment" needs to be created for the trip.Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted in Dhaka by Masud Jamil Khan, Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan, Trivedi said India and Bangladesh are two sovereign countries that do not merely share a border but also "share a dream", according to the UNB news agency."We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy," Trivedi said, while stressing the importance of dialogue in dealing with bilateral issues. "Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," he said. The envoy described both Rahman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "people's persons" and said that when the two leaders meet and interact, no issue could be left unaddressed. At the same time, he said the two sovereign countries would have differences and would need space to pursue their respective interests."We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay... My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh," he said. Trivedi added that the common goal should be to ensure dignity and mutual respect for people not only in the two countries but across the world. "And that's what we strive for," he said. His comments came hours after Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson A K M Shahidul Karim said officials of the two countries had been in touch for several weeks over Rahman's proposed India visit, but that a "propitious environment" was needed. The proposed visit has gained importance amid the recent deterioration in ties after Hasina's virtual media interaction from New Delhi on August 5.Bangladesh expressed outrage over that media interaction, saying it had hurt the sentiments of its people and could adversely affect efforts to improve bilateral ties with India. The Ministry of External Affairs said it had no role in the media event concerning Hasina and does not endorse anything said at the forum about the Bangladesh government.Hasina was ousted in August 2024 after violent student-led protests and fled to India. In November 2025, a special tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced her to death in absentia over alleged "crimes against humanity" during the crackdown on protesters. Since then, Dhaka has been seeking her extradition from India, while New Delhi has said the request is under examination in line with applicable law and established legal procedures.Trivedi's remarks underlined that despite current tensions and differences, India and Bangladesh should address their issues through continued engagement and dialogue, with hope being expressed for Rahman's visit to India at the earliest.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 17, 2026 12:18 IST