India is set to appoint senior diplomat Sandeep Chakravorty as its next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, according to sources familiar with the matter, as New Delhi moves to reset ties with Dhaka following months of diplomatic strain.
Chakravorty, currently India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, is understood to have been on a shortlist for the Dhaka post since late last year. A 1996-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, he previously served as Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh between 2012 and 2015, giving him firsthand experience in navigating bilateral relations.
Since taking up his posting in Jakarta in August 2023, Chakravorty has been instrumental in deepening India-Indonesia cooperation across trade, defence, and strategic fronts. His familiarity with Bangladesh and broader regional dynamics is seen as an asset at a time when New Delhi is keen to rebuild trust with its eastern neighbour.
The transition, however, is not expected to be immediate, according to the Hindustan Times. Sources indicated that incumbent High Commissioner Pranay Verma is likely to remain in Dhaka for a few more weeks as the newly elected BNP-led government settles in following its landslide victory in the 12 February national election. This interim period will allow for the completion of formalities, including securing agreements from the Bangladeshi side.
Verma, who took up the post in October 2022, has been widely credited by diplomats from both capitals for maintaining discreet but consistent engagement with key political actors in Dhaka during a turbulent phase in bilateral ties. His tenure overlapped with the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024 and the subsequent interim administration led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, a period marked by heightened diplomatic sensitivity.
Deputy High Commissioner Pawankumar Badhe is also expected to continue in his role until later this year, ensuring continuity in the mission’s senior leadership.
Chakravorty brings with him a diverse diplomatic portfolio. He has previously served as India’s Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia, Consul General in New York, and held postings in Spain and Colombia. At headquarters, he served as Joint Secretary in charge of Western Europe and the European Union.
The appointment of a Bengali-speaking diplomat to the Dhaka mission is believed to be a considered move by New Delhi, reflecting its intent to deepen people-to-people ties and engage more effectively with Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The incoming envoy will face the critical task of navigating relations with a BNP-led government – a party with historically complex ties to India. Both the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami, which together with allies are projected to win close to 70 seats, have signalled interest in improving ties with New Delhi. Chakravorty’s prior experience in Bangladesh and his regional expertise are expected to serve him well in steering this new phase of bilateral engagement.
