Indian High Commissioner
"Maitri Diwas" a milestone, everlasting source of inspiration guiding Dhaka-Delhi ties: Pranay Verma
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has described the occasion "Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day)" as a milestone and an everlasting source of inspiration guiding the Bangladesh-India relationship.
The Indian High Commission organized a musical evening on December 6 at the Indian Cultural Centre to mark the 53rd anniversary of “Maitri Diwas”, the day India recognized Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign nation in 1971, ten days before Bangladesh achieved its liberation.
In his remarks at the event, the High Commissioner said that both countries had deep stakes in each other’s progress and prosperity, as he described people as the cornerstone of this relationship.
Speakers at CAB event in Chattogram call for social resistance against dishonest traders
He particularly emphasized the important role that the youth have to play as the custodians of the future of India-Bangladesh relations.
The High Commissioner hoped to further reinforce the existing interdependencies between the two countries through more robust linkages in connectivity, culture and commerce.
4 weeks ago
Bangladesh, India affirm commitment to maintain friendly ties amid tensions
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.
1 month ago
First bilateral visit: Hasan Mahmud to visit Delhi on Feb 7, strengthening relations on agenda
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud is scheduled to leave for New Delhi, India on February 7 – the first bilateral visit by the minister after his appointment – to further strengthen Bangladesh-India relations.
“It’s likely to be a three-day visit,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (January 18, 2024), noting that the agenda of the visit is yet to be finalised.
The Foreign Minister said he will be visiting the country at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Asked whether he will have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit, Mahmud said, “It is too early to say.”
Read more: FM to lead Bangladesh delegation at 19th NAM Summit in Uganda
Jaishankar, earlier, invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister on Monday.
The Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and told him that he would visit Delhi soon.
Mahmud was scheduled to embark on a multilateral tour to Uganda last night. After two hours, he came to know that the flight will not depart due to fog and poor visibility. The Foreign Minister was scheduled to hold a meeting on the sidelines of NAM Summit today.
The meeting with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka marked Hasan Mahmud’s first diplomatic engagement since assuming the office of foreign minister.
He noted the successful holding of the 12th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on January 7, which was free, fair and participatory, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also noted that international elections observers and media who visited Dhaka to cover elections expressed their satisfaction over the election process.
Read more: FM seeks EU's trade concessions until 2032 for Bangladesh’s graduation
11 months ago
Jaishankar invites Hasan Mahmud to pay visit to India
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister on Monday.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud accepted the invitation and told him that he would visit Delhi soon. He revealed he plans his first bilateral visit to India.
Dhaka, Delhi discuss expansion of trade, connectivity
The visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic ties, with the exact date to be decided later.
Additionally, Mahmud is set to embark on a multilateral tour to Uganda this week
The meeting with the Indian High Commissioner marked Hasan Mahmud's first diplomatic engagement since assuming the office of foreign minister.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni congratulates Sheikh Hasina
He noted the successful holding of the 12th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on January 7, which was free, fair and participatory, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also noted that international elections observers and media who visited Dhaka to cover elections expressed their satisfaction over the election process.
Hasan Mahmud mentioned that BNP is resorting to arson in the name of movement and protests and no discussions can be held with ine who patronizes this kind of heinous activities.
No dialogue with those who burn people to death: Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud
The new foreign minister thanked the government of India and Dr. Jaisankar for their Messages of Congratulations.
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar congratulated Dr Hasan Mahmud on his appointment as the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
“Look forward to working to further deepen the India-Bangladesh Maitri (friendship),” he said in a message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
11 months ago
Gandhi’s philosophy of truth, humanism, non-violence underscored
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday visited the Gandhi Ashram in Noakhali and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 75th death anniversary.
The Ashram commemorates Bapu’s “Peace Mission” to Noakhali in 1946 and his message of non-violence and communal harmony.
The High Commissioner also participated in a discussion titled “The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Contemporary World” organized by the Gandhi Ashram Trust.
Members of the trust, local political leaders, representatives of local administration as well as civil society and academia joined the interaction.
High Commissioner Verma underlined the guiding light of Gandhiji’s philosophy of truth, humanism and non-violence in showing them the path to deal with today’s global menace of extremism and terrorism.
He also emphasised Gandhi’s belief in harmony with nature, his determination for the empowerment of the poorest and his message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that inspires the motto of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” adopted by India for its G20 Presidency.
1 year ago
IBCCI accords reception to Indian high commissioner
The India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) accorded a reception to new Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at a city hotel on Monday.
The IBCCI officials greeted Pranay Verma with flowers and a memento. Some publications of IBCCI were also handed over to the Indian envoy.
IBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad gave the welcome speech at the programme.
The dollar crisis is posing impediments to Bangladesh's exports to India as well as the country's imports from India, Matlub said.
He also talked about certain trade barriers that exist between India and Bangladesh.
IBCCI Vice-President Shoeb Chowdhury highlighted the friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.
Read more: 30 Indian soldiers who fought to liberate Bangladesh recognised on V Day
India is now Bangladesh's fourth largest export destination while Poland is third, he said.
Shoeb hoped that Bangladesh would be able to export more goods to India to reduce its trade deficit.
He sought Pranay Verma's cooperation to further expand the Bangladesh-India ties.
Shoeb Chowdhury sought India's assistance to save Bangladesh from debt-trap diplomacy.
Pranay Verma lauded the activities of IBCCI and its officials.
He emphasised exploring more prospects regarding the enhancement of diplomatic and commercial bonds between India and Bangladesh.
The envoy also talked about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "neighbours first" policy which is expected to move Bangladesh-India ties relations further forward.
Pranay Verma also made references to visa issues and the importance of the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India.
He also focused on green energy, tech transfer, renewable energy and some other relevant matters.
IBCCI Vice-President Abhisek Das gave the vote of thanks at the programme.
Read more: CEPA to be win-win for both countries: IBCCI President
2 years ago
Work together to keep 1971 legacy alive: Indian envoy at 'Maitri Alumni Reunion'
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay K Verma has said it is important to work together to keep the legacy of 1971 alive, especially among the younger generations.
"That's a very important task. We should not forget our history," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the "Maitri Alumni Reunion 2022" held at Old India House Thursday evening.
The high commissioner said the relations between Bangladesh and India are rooted in the shared sacrifice that makes it so special.
"We call it a relationship which is special, multifaceted and more than a strategic partnership. But I think it is truly a relationship of people," he said, adding that the people-to-people link is the most important element of bilateral relations.
2 years ago
Indian envoy Verma pays tribute to Bangabandhu
Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Thursday said he is looking forward to working closely with the Bangladesh government to realise the full potential of Bangladesh-India ties.
The envoy said he would try to work towards further expanding and strengthening the close and friendly ties between the countries.
He made the remarks as he presented his credentials to President Abdul Hamid.
After that, Verma visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi, Dhaka to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
During his meeting with the president, the Indian high commissioner conveyed the greetings of the government and the people of India to the head of state of Bangladesh.
Read: Indian High Commissioner pays tribute to Liberation War martyrs
2 years ago
Indian envoy visits Asian University for Women
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Sunday visited Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram.
He had a "very good and fruitful" interaction with the faculty members and the students.
The high commissioner also gifted some fitness and gym equipment to the university.
2 years ago
Doraiswami hopeful of commercial screening of Indian films in Bangladesh
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has expressed his hope that the authorities in Bangladesh will soon consider his country’s standing request to permit the commercial screening of Indian films in theatres in Bangladesh.
“Cinema is an art form that is designed to go across the borders,” he said, quoting great filmmaker Dennis Villenuve.
High Commissioner Doraiswami thinks allowing more film releases on a commercial basis will help develop both the film industries - from the artistic standpoint, as well as through increased inflows of investment in the sector, ranging from theatres to financing - given the similar and yet complimentary artistic sensibilities that Bangladesh and India share, and the long history of cooperation between two countries’ artistes, film makers and even music industry.
The Indian envoy made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of Dhaka International Film Festival 2022 here on Saturday.
Also read: Bangladesh, India to have much to do in next 50 years: Doraiswami
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen joined the function as the chief guest. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Festival Director Ahmed Muztaba Jamal also spoke.
2 years ago