Randhir Jaiswal signals readiness to move forward with Bangladesh on a positive, constructive path

India wants to take its relations with Bangladesh in a positive, constructive and forward-looking direction. New Delhi is ready to discuss all bilateral issues within the existing institutional mechanisms between the two countries, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Mr. Randhir Jaiswal said.

He made the remarks in response to several questions about Bangladesh-India relations at the ministry’s regular briefing in New Delhi.

Mr. Jaiswal said India had already made its position clear regarding the direction of relations with Bangladesh. “India has always wanted a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh,” he said. India is ready to discuss all bilateral issues within the existing mechanisms between the two countries, he added.

“This is India’s approach,” Mr. Jaiswal said, stressing that India wants the relationship between the two countries to move in a positive, constructive and forward-looking direction.

The statement came as discussions are underway over the possible appointment of Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as the country’s new high commissioner to India. High-level communication between the two countries has also increased recently.

India’s High Commissioner Mr. Dinesh Trivedi has held meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and senior government officials in Bangladesh. The discussions have focused on taking bilateral relations forward in a positive and constructive manner.

At the briefing, Mr. Jaiswal was asked whether the possible appointment of Asad Alam Siam could be viewed as a sign of normalisation in relations between the two countries. Rather than giving a direct response, he reiterated India’s broader position on the relationship.

Questions were also raised about Bangladesh Air Force’s participation in India-hosted multilateral air exercise Tarang Shakti. Bangladesh is scheduled to participate in the exercise with a C-130J transport aircraft.

Asked whether Bangladesh’s participation could also be seen as an indication of a positive change in bilateral relations, Mr. Jaiswal again referred to India’s intention to develop relations with Bangladesh in a positive, constructive and forward-looking direction.

Meanwhile, fresh discussions have emerged over a possible visit to India by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Asked whether Bangladesh had withdrawn some conditions it had previously set for the visit, Mr. Jaiswal said any information on the matter would be shared later if there was anything to say.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is currently in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the session.

Asked whether there was any possibility of a meeting between Tarique Rahman and Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar, Mr. Jaiswal said he had no information on the matter yet.

Delhi’s recent statements indicate that India is publicly signalling its intention to advance relations with Bangladesh through dialogue. In August, too, Mr. Jaiswal said India wanted a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh.

The two countries have several sensitive issues, including the border, trade, water sharing, security, extradition and movement of people. The question now is how far Delhi’s renewed readiness for dialogue translates into tangible progress in bilateral relations.