Bangladesh-India issues could ease with Tarique-Modi meeting, envoy says

Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi expressed confidence that a meeting between Bangladesh prime minister Tarique Rahman and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi could help resolve outstanding bilateral issues.

“I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence,” Trivedi told journalists after inaugurating a children’s playing area at the Indian Visa Application Centre.

His comments came as Bangladesh considers invitations for Tarique to visit India. New Delhi invited him to attend the BRICS Summit outreach session Sept. 12-13 as chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. A separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February.

Bangladesh has said it is reviewing the invitation.

Prospects for talks come amid renewed tensions following ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent speech from New Delhi, which prompted strong reactions in Bangladesh.