Official talks between railway officials of Bangladesh and India are set to begin in Dhaka on Tuesday to resume cross-border train services after a suspension of two years.
If both sides reach an agreement during the two-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting (IGRM), the three cross-border passenger trains – Maitree Express, Mitali Express, and Bandhan Express – could resume operations as early as next month.
Bangladesh Railway officials confirmed that the agenda for the bilateral talks has already been finalised.
Cross-border train operations were halted during the mass uprising in 2024.
Specifically, the Maitree Express was suspended on 16 July 2024, followed by the complete suspension of all three trains (Maitree, Bandhan, and Mitali Express) three days later, on 19 July 2024.
Bilateral relations between the two countries hit rock bottom after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India. Following a prolonged period of stringent visa restrictions imposed by India on Bangladeshi nationals, the visa process has now returned to normal.
While India normalised its visa issuance procedures after the BNP government came to power, passenger train services between the two nations have remained suspended.
Indian interest and agenda
Bangladesh Railway Director Anisur Rahman said Indian Railways has expressed interest in resuming the three passenger train services, and the scheduled meeting is being held in accordance with this interest.
The IGRM is a regular bilateral forum between Bangladesh and India, with the latest meeting held in New Delhi in 2025.
Although Bangladesh had sent multiple letters requesting the resumption of train services, the meeting was deferred several times before finally being scheduled to begin in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Proposed new route, financial disputes
An anonymous railway official revealed that Bangladesh plans to propose a new passenger train route connecting Rajshahi to Kolkata, alongside the resumption of the three existing train services.
In addition to passenger services, the discussions will address ongoing development projects funded by Indian credit lines, which were halted immediately after the fall of the Awami League government.
Railway officials confirmed that talks will also focus on India’s withdrawal from its funding commitments to Bangladesh.
