A coordinated series of meetings has taken place between India and Bangladesh following the formation of the new government in Bangladesh, spanning defence, environment, education, and political affairs, signalling a substantive reset in ties.
India’s High Commissioner in Bangladesh
India’s High Commissioner (HC) to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, undertook a series of engagements in Dhaka from 6 to 8 April 2026, covering the political, defence, environmental, and people-to-people dimensions of the bilateral relationship.
On 6 April, HC Verma paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Their discussions covered bilateral engagement with a focus on people-centric cooperation in multiple domains aligned with the national development priorities of the two countries. Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including public health, financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, rural development, trade and investment, ease of doing business, technology partnerships, and power and energy cooperation.
On the same day, he visited Dhaka University, meeting Vice Chancellor Prof. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam and senior faculty to discuss advancing educational cooperation and academic exchanges between Dhaka University and Indian universities. He toured the departments of theatre and performance studies, music, and dance, interacting with teachers and students. At the Institute of Modern Languages, he presented over 1,500 books on literature and pedagogy to the Hindi Department to support its curriculum development.
On 8 April, HC Verma called on Bangladesh’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, H.E. Mr Abdul Awal Mintoo. The two sides discussed a broad range of environmental issues, including afforestation, climate action, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon trading. They also exchanged views on the conservation of shared ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation in the Sundarbans. They agreed to explore enhanced engagement through exchange visits by experts and the sharing of best practices and technologies.
On the same day, H.C. Verma called on H.E. Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Dr A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, Defence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The two sides reviewed security and defence cooperation, covering bilateral consultation mechanisms, training exchanges, capacity building, and exchanges between defence institutes of the two countries. They exchanged views on common security challenges and agreed to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the region. This followed an earlier engagement on 2 April, when Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, called on Indian Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi to discuss joint training initiatives and regional security. The defence-level meetings, both in Dhaka and Delhi, preceded the foreign ministerial visit and reflected a deliberate sequencing of diplomatic outreach.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s Goodwill Visit to New Delhi
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on 7 April 2026 for an official “goodwill visit.” He was accompanied by Humaiun Kobir, adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, and was received by officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah. On the same evening, FM Rahman met India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval.
On 8 April, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar hosted FM Rahman and his delegation at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. EAM Jaishankar posted, X: “Pleased to host FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and his delegation this afternoon. We discussed strengthening our bilateral relationship in its various facets and exchanged views on regional and global developments. We agreed to remain in close touch.”
FM Rahman also met Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on the same day to discuss energy sector cooperation.
