DHAKA: Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday said differences between the two neighbours can only be resolved through dialogue and expressed hope that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India would take place “much sooner”.
His remarks came hours after the Bangladesh government set tough conditions for New Delhi ahead of Tarique’s possible bilateral visit, which was extended at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dhaka has asked India to act expeditiously on the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other alleged criminal fugitives and help create a “propitious environment” for the visit.
Addressing a welcome dinner in Dhaka, Trivedi said challenges were an inherent part of democracy and acknowledged that India and Bangladesh, as sovereign nations, would have differences while pursuing their respective interests.
“We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. If you do not have challenges, that is not democracy,” he said.
Trivedi stressed that the two countries share more than a border, saying they also “share a dream”. He said outstanding issues could only be resolved through direct engagement and expressed optimism that Tarique’s visit to India would happen “much sooner”.
Describing both Prime Ministers as “people’s persons”, Trivedi said a meeting between the two leaders would help address all outstanding issues. At the same time, he recognised the need for both sovereign countries to have the space to pursue their own national interests.
Meanwhile, an Indian business delegation led by CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee began a three-day visit to Bangladesh on Monday to strengthen economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
The delegation comprises 14 business leaders and is seeking to deepen bilateral trade and investment engagement.
