Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is set to visit India on Tuesday on a goodwill mission aimed at recalibrating bilateral relations following a period of unease after the fall of the Awami League government, which had maintained close ties with New Delhi.
During the visit, the foreign minister is scheduled to hold high-level meetings on Wednesday with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
The visit comes at a time when bilateral ties are showing signs of gradual improvement following the recent elections in Bangladesh, which brought BNP to power with a decisive mandate.
Analysts believe the trip could lay the groundwork for renewed engagement between the two neighbours.
India has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit New Delhi, with a preference that it be his first official foreign trip. However, experts caution that several outstanding issues must be addressed beforehand, emphasising that any high-level visit should yield tangible outcomes rather than symbolic gestures.
Among India’s key priorities are security cooperation and enhanced regional connectivity, particularly transit links to its northeastern states. These states remain geographically isolated from mainland India, connected only through the narrow Siliguri Corridor – often referred to as the “chicken neck.”
At the same time, analysts stress that restoring mutual trust and addressing public sentiment in both countries will be crucial for sustainable progress. They argue that economic and sectoral cooperation must be mutually beneficial, warning that one-sided gains could undermine long-term relations.
Bangladesh, for its part, continues to prioritise peace, stability, territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs. Observers note that any perception of external interference could complicate efforts to rebuild trust and deepen cooperation.
A constructive working relationship between the two governments will be essential to move the partnership forward, particularly in areas tied to national interest and security.
Former ambassador Md Sufiur Rahman said a significant trust deficit persists between the two countries, which must be addressed to enable meaningful engagement. “If the trust gap is not bridged, the objectives of such meetings may not be achieved, and progress in bilateral relations will remain limited,” he said.
