State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Tuesday said Bangladesh and India will overcome their existing challenges through dialogue and discussion, expressing optimism about positive outcomes in the near future and a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.

“Of course, there are some challenges. We are hopeful that we can overcome these challenges through dialogue and discussion. And of course, you know, at some point, with a conducive environment in place, a visit by the Prime Minister also… We had a very good discussion,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.

Kobir said there were some discussions on the visit during the courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi in the morning. “We have a positive outlook on the future possibility.”

Asked about the timing of the visit, he said it would be decided later through mutual discussion. “So, we will do a visit when the environment is conducive, based on mutual respect,” said the State Minister, noting that they had a “very good, cordial and productive” conversation.

On speculation that November could be a possible timeframe, Kobir declined to comment. “There are many rumours, but I do not talk about rumours. I talk about reality, and the reality is that we had a very good meeting today,” he added.

Relations “Absolutely Positive”

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi described the overall state of Bangladesh-India relations as “absolutely positive”, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India will take place at a mutually convenient time.

“I am telling again. Our invitation is open. I don't think there is a need for a hurry. Everything is very positive. But we must give due time,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

State Minister Kobir underscored Bangladesh's commitment to work in a forward-looking and mutually respectful way with India on issues of mutual interest and for the benefit of the people.

The High Commissioner conveyed congratulations on his assumption of charge as the State Minister.

The discussion focused on continued cooperation between the two neighbouring countries for mutually beneficial outcomes for the peoples of India and Bangladesh.

Trivedi expressed hope that the political leadership of both countries would find a convenient time for further engagement.

He said they are very confident that whenever the Prime Ministers of both sides find it convenient, he is sure things will happen.

The High Commissioner, however, said political compulsions on both sides remain but noted that “work is in progress”.

“There is no question about anything like it. I am positive, the state minister is positive, and the people of Bangladesh are positive. Everything is possible,” Trivedi said.

Asked about the current state of bilateral relations, the Indian envoy said there were political compulsions on both sides, but these should not overshadow the broader relationship.

Referring to his interaction with State Minister Kobir, the Indian High Commissioner said he had developed a good relationship with him and described him as “very upright, very frank and very open”.

The High Commissioner said their discussions were marked by openness and positivity. “Our discussions are actually very positive,” he said.

Trivedi also spoke positively about Kobir’s vision and approach, saying he found the State Minister to be open to discussions on issues of mutual interest.

Trivedi said it was essentially a courtesy call and an opportunity to convey his congratulations and greetings.

“It was purely a courtesy meeting - I was happy to congratulate [him] from the High Commissioner’s side, from India’s side, and I also sent the greetings to the Prime Minister through him,” he said.

He also referred to the Prime Minister’s recent engagement in New York, saying: “He had great meetings in New York.”

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral issues, regional and international matters, including the just-concluded 81st UNGA in New York.

Last week, India reiterated that it wants to take its relationship with Bangladesh forward in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner and expressed its willingness to discuss all bilateral issues between the two countries.

“India desires a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while responding to a question about bilateral ties during a media briefing in New Delhi recently.

Jaiswal said India is ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through the existing structured mechanisms.

“Our intent is to take this relationship forward in a positive direction, in a constructive direction, in a forward-looking manner,” he said.