PM Tarique Rahman may visit Delhi next week

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is preparing for a possible two-day bilateral visit to New Delhi on August 22-23, according to diplomatic and political sources cited by Indian media outlet NDTV. If confirmed, the trip would be his first overseas visit since assuming office in February and is being viewed as a significant test of ties between the two neighbours following recent political upheaval and diplomatic strains.

Although Dhaka and New Delhi have yet to announce an official date, preparations for the proposed visit have reportedly intensified in both capitals, with senior diplomatic officials saying the arrangements are nearing completion. The centrepiece of the trip is expected to be Tarique Rahman’s first formal bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where trade, regional connectivity, energy cooperation, border management and regional security are likely to feature prominently. The talks could also provide an opportunity to rebuild trust after years of diplomatic friction, following Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s April visit to New Delhi and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi’s August 10 meeting with the Bangladesh premier.

Read More: Rizvi claims 90-95% of govt promises fulfilled in six months

The proposed talks are also expected to address several contentious issues, foremost among them Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since her ouster in August 2024 and was later sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. Other priorities include renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which is due to expire in December, border killings, trade imbalances, transit and energy cooperation. India has also invited Bangladesh, as the current BIMSTEC chair, to the BRICS Outreach session in New Delhi in September. Analysts caution that a single visit is unlikely to resolve all outstanding disputes, but say direct engagement at the highest political level could help thaw relations and lay the groundwork for rebuilding long-term mutual trust.