United News of Bangladesh

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday said India will take all necessary steps following the death of Bangladeshi nationals in a hotel fire in Kolkata. “It's very sad. We will certainly do whatever needs to be done,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain at Secretariat. Nine people including seven Bangladeshis were killed in a devastating fire that broke out at a hotel near New Market in Kolkata, West Bengal on Wednesday. Journalists asked whether there was any negligence in the incident and whether the Indian authorities would investigate the matter but Trivedi did not respond. After the meeting, Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain said it was purely a courtesy meeting and he did not raise the issue of Bangladeshi nationals’ death in India. Asked whether there was any discussion about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India, the health minister said the Indian side has invited the prime minister and expressed hope that he would visit. “They have invited our Prime Minister. They just said that they hope he will go,” he said.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday night called on Bangladesh and India to move beyond their differences and work together to build a relationship based on “mutual and unconditional trust,” saying the aspirations of the two countries’ young generations should guide the future of bilateral ties. “We need to get ourselves together. Move on. I’m not telling you to forget the past, but keep the past and sort out the differences of the past. But move on. Don’t get stagnant,” he said. The High Commissioner made the remarks while addressing a reception hosted in honour of leading Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at The Westin Dhaka. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Director General Chandrajit Banerjee and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe also spoke at the reception. High Commissioner Trivedi said both Bangladesh and India are aspirational countries, with their young people looking for opportunities, prosperity and a better future. “It’s aspirant Bangladesh and it’s aspirant India,” he said, stressing the need for the two countries to work together to create opportunities for the younger generation. Referring to his arrival in Bangladesh, the High Commissioner said, “The day I came in, I just walked in. This is one of the symbols, I think, that we are together.” High Commissioner Trivedi said the foundation of any long-lasting relationship is “mutual and unconditional trust”. “Friends really understand each other’s issues, and we are not friends if we don’t understand,” he said. Acknowledging that there are issues between the two neighbours, he said such differences can be resolved through engagement and dialogue. “I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” he said. The Indian envoy also conveyed what he described as an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a future visit by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India. “After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” he said. “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” he added, quoting the Indian Prime Minister. The visit, Trivedi said, would be “a memorable visit” whose benefits would ultimately reach people and businesses on both sides. Highlighting the importance of economic and people-to-people ties, the High Commissioner said the private sector has a crucial role in bridging differences between the two countries. “No government in the world can provide everything. It always needs the private sector,” he said, expressing gratitude to business communities on both sides. He identified people-to-people relations, employment, education and health as key areas where Bangladesh and India can deepen cooperation. “People all over the world have a big role to play in bridging this gap,” he said, referring to the business community’s role in strengthening bilateral ties. The High Commissioner said India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy reflects the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh. “Why did he send me? For one simple reason: we have a lot of respect, we have a lot of affection and we have a lot of need with a neighbour. And our policy is Neighbourhood First,” he said. Trivedi acknowledged that the two countries have gone through “hiccups” in their relationship, but said such difficulties should not undermine their longstanding bonds. “We have all gone through hiccups here and then. I think that’s quite natural; that also happens in a family. But that doesn’t mean that we move away,” he said. “We have shared history, we have shared culture, and this is where we need to foster,” Trivedi added. The High Commissioner also praised Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, describing him as “a people’s person” and noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to congratulate him after his landslide electoral victory and the first to invite him to India. He said the recent high-level engagements, including visits by India’s external affairs minister and speaker as well as his own posting in Dhaka, reflected India’s eagerness to strengthen ties. “We are eagerly waiting and I’m so hopeful. There are issues, there is no doubt about it,” he said. At the same time, Trivedi said differences are natural in a vibrant democracy. “If issues are not there, then it’s not democracy; it’s something other than democracy,” he said. He said Indian officials have been working closely with Bangladesh’s ministers in recent weeks to address differences and understand the concerns of the Bangladeshi people. “We deeply understand the concerns of brothers and sisters of Bangladesh,” he said, while stressing that the relationship should be viewed as “a partnership of equals”. “These concerns can only be mitigated once you meet,” Trivedi said. Turning to Bangladesh’s youth, the High Commissioner said the country’s new generation had gone through significant struggle and sacrifice and deserved an opportunity to achieve peace and prosperity. “This is a new Bangladesh, and this new Bangladesh has the youth. And youth has also gone through a lot of struggle and a lot of sacrifice,” Trivedi said. “Our objective obviously is to have peace and prosperity, and the youth must get that opportunity,” he added. Trivedi said such opportunities could be created through closer cooperation between Bangladesh and India. “Bangladesh First and we have the goals are same. There is just no difference,” he said. Urging the business communities of both countries to join the journey of closer cooperation, the High Commissioner said, “Let’s have this journey together.” Trivedi expressed hope that the relationship between Bangladesh and India would enter a new phase. “This would be a golden chapter in the history of the relationship between India and Bangladesh, because we have a lot to share with you,” he said. Trivedi referred to the shared cultural heritage of the two countries and called for a renewed “melody of relationship”. “Let’s have this melody of relationship,” he said, expressing confidence that the relationship could become “golden” and long-lasting. The high-level Indian business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday morning, an official told UNB. Discussions during the visit focused on addressing issues of mutual interest and mutual benefit, identifying emerging areas of cooperation, and facilitating greater engagement between businesses of the two countries. Both sides explored opportunities for greater economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries. The delegation, led by Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, comprises 14 business leaders representing prominent Indian companies and institutions, including Bharat Biotech, Infravision Foundation, Godrej Industries, Arvind Limited, LMW Global, Mahindra Group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Forbes Marshall, Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Apollo Hospitals and Indian Oil Corporation, along with officials from the CII Secretariat. During the visit, the delegation met senior members of the government of Bangladesh.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Saturday highlighted the importance of working together to advance the partnership in key sectors and nurture the exceptional bond of friendship between Bangladesh and India. “We recognise that it is the people-to-people connection, rooted in shared aspiration and mutual goodwill, that remains the true beating heart of this enduring friendship,” he said while celebrating India’s 80th Independence Day at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe, among others, was present. Trivedi urged the two countries to work together towards shared prosperity, noting that Bangladesh and India are advancing their partnership across vital sectors, ranging from trade and connectivity to security and healthcare. “Let us also continue to nurture the exceptional bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh, working hand in hand toward shared prosperity,” he said.  

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining a respectful and forward-looking partnership with India based on sovereign equality, national interests, dignity, and the welfare of the people. Describing India as Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and an important trade and development partner, he said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with India. President Shahabuddin made the remarks when newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban. Upon his arrival at Bangabhaban, the high commissioner was accorded a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the President Guard Regiment. Following the credential presentation ceremony, the envoy paid a courtesy call on the President. Briefing reporters after the meeting, President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam said Shahabuddin welcomed the new Indian envoy and expressed hope that his tenure will further strengthen and deepen the mutually beneficial and people-centric relations between Bangladesh and India. The President recalled with gratitude the participation of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new democratic government, which was formed following the February 12 election. High Commissioner Trivedi said it is natural for the two sovereign nations to enjoy friendly and cordial relations, reflecting the long-standing bonds between the two countries. The President also stressed the importance of increasing people-to-people connectivity and taking positive initiatives to resolve outstanding issues, including border-related concerns. Referring to border management, Trivedi noted that recent discussions between senior officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had been productive. He emphasised the need for more regular meetings between border forces and officials at both local and higher levels, expressing optimism that border issues will be resolved expeditiously. The Indian envoy conveyed greetings from the President and leadership of India to President Shahabuddin and reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh. President Shahabuddin, in turn, conveyed his greetings to the President of India through the high commissioner. High Commissioner Trivedi sought the continued support and cooperation of the President and the people of Bangladesh in carrying out his diplomatic responsibilities. President Shahabuddin wished the envoy a successful tenure and assured him of Bangladesh’s full cooperation in further enhancing the cordial and constructive relationship between the two neighbouring countries. Secretaries from the President’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials concerned were present at the ceremony.

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday. The meeting was held in the afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was present at the meeting. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and India.

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma and his wife, Manu Verma, hosted a reception at India House on Saturday to bid farewell to friends from the media amid conversations, shared memories, and music, saying these are the memories they will carry back to Brussels. Pranay Verma, who has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, said Bangladesh will remain one of their most cherished postings because of the warm affection and friendship they received here. “Don’t say goodbye; let’s say, ‘See you again.’ Thank you very much for being there with us,” he said in his brief remarks. The envoy sang two songs - one in Bangla and one in Hindi - and said, “I truly hope our paths will cross again, somewhere, sometime.” Senior journalists including former Dhaka bureau chief of the Associated Press (AP) Farid Hossain, current AP Bureau Chief Julhas Alam, and members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, including its President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh, were present. Pranay Verma is likely to leave Dhaka for Brussels in the last week of this month. India has appointed Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment recently, noting that he is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Pranay Verma, who previously served as India’s Ambassador to Vietnam, arrived in Dhaka on September 21, 2022. Trivedi served as Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA regime as a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He resigned from the TMC on February 12, 2021, and joined the BJP on March 6, 2021.

Amid growing tensions between two close neighbors, Bangladesh and India on Tuesday affirmed commitment to have a friendly relationship considering the existing “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma following the attack on Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala during protests against alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Talking to reporters after his meeting with acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, the High Commissioner said the “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations between the two countries cannot be reduced to one issue. Visa, consular services at Bangladesh mission in Agartala suspended Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, at a separate briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, said India is a big neighbour and Bangladesh wants good relations with the neighbor. “But we think this good relationship should be based on just and equity.” High Commissioner Verma said they want to build a “constant, stable and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh. Talking to reporters briefly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said they are interested in working with Bangladesh to fulfill their shared aspirations in the field of peace, security and development. He also said there are many interdependencies and they want to build on that for mutual benefits. Pranay Verma entered the ministry around 4pm on Tuesday. Asked, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said he (Indian envoy) had been asked to come. India really wants stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh: Verma Additional security measures were taken around the ministry with the deployment of army and police personnel. Meanwhile, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala of Tripura have been suspended for an indefinite period. A notification signed by Md Al Amin, first secretary of the Assistant High Commission office, was issued on Tuesday. CA’s Press Secretary said Bangladesh is following due diplomatic process and the government is doing everything whatever necessary. The government of Bangladesh on Monday said it “deeply resents” the “violent demonstration and attack” by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity of Agartala on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. Attack on Bangladesh Mission: India arrests 7, suspends 3 cops The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, underlined that this “heinous attack” on a diplomatic mission of Bangladesh and desecration of the national flag of Bangladesh comes in a pattern, further to a similar violent demonstration in Kolkata on 28 November 2024. “This particular act in Agartala stands in violation of the inviolability of diplomatic missions, as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, asks for,” the ministry said. “We conveyed our concerns to India. Our MoFA (ministry of foreign affairs) is working accordingly,” CA’s Press Secretary Alam said. CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present.

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.