Bangladesh–India relations should advance on the basis of mutual respect, sovereignty and people‑to‑people ties, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said on Wednesday.
He also said that ties between the two countries have evolved through “ups and downs” and historic shifts depending on circumstances.
The Speaker made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at his office, according to a parliament secretariat release.
Hafiz Uddin said the Awami League government undermined democratic rights through staged elections in 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024. He added that the 2024 student‑people uprising paved the way for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
“During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, relations between India and Bangladesh remained centred only on the governments,” he said, stressing that people‑to‑people ties should form the foundation of bilateral relations.
He added that the two countries should move forward with mutual respect and recognition of each other’s independence and sovereignty.
High Commissioner Trivedi said India is interested in building people‑centric relations and that the current government is working to fulfil people’s aspirations by strengthening people‑to‑people ties.
During the meeting, the Speaker and the High Commissioner discussed parliamentary delegation visits, the Rohingya crisis and rehabilitation, and exchanges in sports and culture to expand bilateral relations.
Trivedi also conveyed an invitation from the Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha to Hafiz Uddin to visit India, stressing the importance of exchanging parliamentary delegations.
Officials from the Indian High Commission and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present.
