Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today (January 15, 2024) firmly dismissed the possibility of engaging in discussions with those who instigate violence and anarchy in the nation.  "Dialogue is pointless with individuals who burn people alive and incite anarchy, rather than practicing legitimate politics," he declared to the press. This strong statement came in response to inquiries about the Awami League's strategy to address challenges from the opposition party, BNP, in the upcoming days.  Read: Expats are our heroes; let’s work together to build Smart Bangladesh: FM  Dr. Mahmud, who also serves as the Awami League's joint secretary, emphasized the importance of this issue during a scheduled meeting of the Awami League central working committee, which will be attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a broader context of regional cooperation, Dr. Mahmud met with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma. They discussed mutual support, particularly India's consistent backing of Bangladesh in maintaining a democratic trajectory.  “During the elections of 2014 and 2018, despite external attempts to stir controversy, India's support for our democratic process was unwavering,” Dr. Mahmud remarked. Read: Indian, Sri Lankan FMs greet Hasan Mahmud; eye deepening ties with Bangladesh  Looking ahead, the Foreign Minister revealed plans for his first bilateral visit to India, accepting an invitation from his Indian counterpart, Dr. S Jaishankar. The visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic ties, with the exact date to be decided later. Additionally, Dr. Mahmud is set to embark on a multilateral tour to Uganda. The meeting with the Indian High Commissioner marks Dr. Mahmud's first diplomatic engagement since assuming the office of Foreign Minister, highlighting his proactive approach in foreign affairs and regional cooperation.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma today (July 11, 2023) said the new arrangement — through initially designating selected Indian and Bangladeshi banks — to commence settlement of bilateral trade in Indian rupee can help reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves. “There are clear benefits of this new mechanism. It will reduce pressure to some extent on foreign exchange reserves for settlement of trade, while allowing some savings on exchange costs for traders. Essentially, this mechanism would help in bringing certainties of dealing in our own currencies,” he said. Speaking at an event to mark commencement of Bangladesh-India bilateral trade in Indian rupees, the high commissioner said the Indian banks currently identified are the State Bank of India and the ICICI Bank, whereas the designated Bangladeshi banks are Sonali Bank and Eastern Bank Ltd. Read: EU delegation holds meeting with EC on preparations for holding nat'l election Bilateral trade settlement in rupee entails each of the designated Bangladeshi banks opening a Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) with the designated Indian banks. With growing determination and willingness, both sides, despite the odds presented by the global economic situation, have moved forward to add new momentum to the economic ties, said the envoy. “We faced the challenge presented by the Covid pandemic, and emerged stronger from it. The current global headwinds that are affecting economies across the world, present yet another challenge. And it is very heartening, and a symbol of the resilience of our bilateral partnership, that we are yet again adapting and leveraging opportunities to take our relationship and our economies forward through this innovative arrangement,” he said. This is also a reflection of the commitment to shared growth and shared prosperity, said the high commissioner. Read: ADB increases support for rural roads improvement in Bangladesh He said the success of this mechanism will lie in widespread knowledge and use of this arrangement. Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Secretary to Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance, and presidents of the trade and chamber bodies were present. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today at this landmark event, where we formally announce the commencement of the India-Bangladesh trade in Indian rupee,” said the Indian envoy. He said India-Bangladesh relations have transformed significantly over the last decade under the visionary leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read: EC proved its ‘impartiality, capability through fair polls’ in 5 recent city elections: Monitoring Forum tells EU delegates “And one of the most important manifestations of that transformation is our visibly growing economic and commercial ties and connectivity links,” he said. Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia, and fifth largest globally. In the last five years, bilateral trade has more than doubled. Bangladesh’s exports to India have consistently crossed the one billion dollar mark consecutively over the last three years. In the last financial year, it crossed two billion dollars for the first time. India, with its diverse market, has emerged as the top export destination for Bangladesh in Asia. Read more PM on forex reserves: Better to spend on people's welfare than keep it idle

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday (May 30, 2023) highlighted the value of science and technology (S&T) cooperation between Bangladesh and India as an important dimension of their development partnership and a key catalyst in achieving larger national goals and finding solutions to common developmental challenges. Speaking at a symposium, he stressed that as nations aspiring to join the ranks of developed economies of the world, there was great value and necessity for India and Bangladesh to promote closer engagement in science and technology. The high commissioner said that their collaboration can also bring unique perspectives as developing countries into scientific research and innovation, creating solutions that address "our societal challenges and generating ideas that meet their developmental aspirations." He urged greater participation of younger scientists from both countries in their S&T collaboration. Read more: OIC Secretary-General commends Bangladesh’s unwavering support to development of IUT As part of the long-standing cooperation between Bangladesh and India in the field of Science & Technology, the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) hosted a joint scientific symposium in partnership with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Dhaka. The subject of the symposium was “Advanced Functional and Smart Materials for Sustainable Development”. Verma was invited to address the symposium as the guest of honour.

Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma has arrived in Dhaka. Verma, who most recently served as Ambassador of India to Vietnam, arrived here on Wednesday night, an official told UNB. He will formally take up the assignment shortly after submitting his credentials to President Abdul Hamid.  Pranay Verma joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1994 and has held diplomatic assignments in Hong Kong, San Francisco, Beijing, Kathmandu and Washington DC. He has served as the Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi since June 2017. Read: Pranay Verma appointed next Indian envoy to Bangladesh Earlier, he also served as the Joint Secretary for external relations at the Department of Atomic Energy looking after India’s nuclear diplomacy. Pranay Verma has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Before joining the Indian Foreign Service, he started his professional career at India’s steel manufacturing company, Tata Steel.   He also holds a Master’s degree in the Chinese language from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, California, U.S.

India hopes that friendly relations with Bangladesh will reach new heights under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami made the remark during his farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganobhaban today (September 14, 2022). PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed reporters after the meeting. Read: Masud Bin Momen bids farewell to Doraiswami The Indian High Commissioner said his country highly praises the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for strengthening the Bangladesh-India relations and the overall socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Noting that the bilateral tie has reached a new height, he said the relationship and friendship between the two countries would go much further under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Doraiswami said the next generations of the two countries can enjoy the benefits of the existing relations as it has already reached a new height. Read: Need each other’s cooperation to ensure “peaceful, stable, secure” neighbourhood: Doraiswami Describing Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to India as “very successful”, he congratulated the Bangladesh PM for her fruitful tour. The Indian envoy also put emphasis on trade and commerce during the meeting. He extended his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Prime Minister, her government and the people of Bangladesh for the support and guidance he received from Sheikh Hasina’s government during his stay in Dhaka. “I thank you (PM) very very much,” he was quoted as saying. Read Doraiswami hails Padma Bridge as a connector of people, emotions and culture of Bengal The Prime Minister said Bangladesh wants sustainable development of the entire South Asia for the sake of the greater benefits of the people of the region. Noting there might be some issues of concern with neighbours, she said, “We can move forward by solving these issues of concern through discussions.”  She praised the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read Doraiswami hopeful of commercial screening of Indian films in Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina recalled memories of her exile in India after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. Sheikh Hasina congratulated the outgoing Indian high commissioner on his new posting and wished him a bright and successful career. At the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner presented a portrait of Sheikh Hasina, while the premier gifted a book, saree and boat replica. Read Bangladesh, India to have much to do in next 50 years: Doraiswami

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami called on Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal Monday. They discussed the admiral's upcoming visit to India and increasing cooperation in the maritime realm, according to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.  During his first visit to India, the chief of naval staff will visit Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command. Read: Bangabandhu, Gandhi share striking similarities in political philosophy: Doraiswami Doraiswami presented Admiral Shaheen a Bangla edition of "Operation X."  The book talks about the naval operations of the Mukti Bahini, which paved the way for Bangladesh's liberation in 1971. It will hit the book stands soon.  The Indian high commissioner also presented the chief of naval staff a 9 mm carbine machine gun used by naval freedom fighters. 

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Bangladesh observes the National Mourning Day. "We're inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka tweeted. Read:FM pays tributes to Bangabandhu

India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, is working to resume the export of Covid vaccine jabs to Bangladesh as vaccine production in India is growing rapidly. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami reiterated this at Akhaura International Checkpost on his way back to Bangladesh from India on Friday morning. Read:India trying to send vaccine jabs to Bangladesh soon: Doraiswami The envoy said India is working to resume the vaccine supply to Bangladesh and the increased production of Covid vaccine is a positive sign. "Hopefully, we’ll be able to send vaccine jabs to Bangladesh if vaccine production increases further. But I can't give any specific date in this regard," he told local journalists. He said the trade volume between the two countries has increased despite the pandemic. "If our communication systems remain suitable, then we’ll be able to continue trading amid this pandemic." Read:Doraiswami keen to push Covaxin as Covishield exports disrupted Doraiswami also said India will be happy it can cooperate more with Bangladesh in their fight against Covid-19. Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rumana Akhter, officer-in-charge of Akhaura Police Station Md Mizanur Rahman and Immigration Police In-Charge Md Abdul Hamid others were present. On July 18, the envoy went to New Delhi though Akhaura land port to discuss how India can expedite the supply of the remaining doses of Covishield jabs produced by Serum Institute of India. Read:Greater trade, connectivity hold brighter future for Dhaka-Delhi ties: Doraiswami Bangladesh was scheduled to get three crore doses of vaccines from India under a tripartite agreement signed last year. But New Delhi halted the export after sending only 75 lakh doses in March citing high domestic demand.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India will be a gamechanger for bilateral trade partnership, says Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami. CEPA is under active discussion of both the governments, he said while addressing a virtual event on Wednesday. High Commissioner Doraiswami highlighted Duty-Free Quota-Free market access available to Bangladesh products under SAFTA since 2011. He said India’s vast consumer market offers enormous opportunities for the quality food products from Bangladesh and underscored the importance of linkages among trade bodies.  The High Commissioner also emphasized the importance of finalizing reciprocal arrangements with regard to food safety standards and rapid upgradation of logistics to enhance such trade. Also read: Greater trade, connectivity hold brighter future for Dhaka-Delhi ties: Doraiswami Focusing on Bangladesh-India trade agricultural and processed food products, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association and India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the virtual conference and India-Bangladesh Trade Fair on Agri Products. 

India, depending on the scale of production of vaccines within the country, is aiming at July-end or August to at least release those vaccines that have been bought by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal and are now in pending status, reported The Print on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami had an "informal meeting" with State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, neither side revealed what they discussed. Also read: Let's see what can be done, have patience: PM about vaccine management Bangladesh entered into a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to purchase 30 million doses of a potential vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca for Covid-19. Bangladesh was supposed to get five million doses of vaccine per month as the SII and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharma signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for priority delivery of the vaccine doses. Also read: Bangladesh rolls out Pfizer vaccine at 3 Dhaka centers Bangladesh sought at least 3 million doses of vaccine under the agreement to address the immediate demand in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has so far received only 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.