There is no possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visiting India before the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Saturday.
Former diplomats, however, stressed the need for continued engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi, saying outstanding bilateral issues can only be resolved through dialogue.
Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Mustafizur Rahman said there was “no alternative to talks” as the two countries have several issues requiring discussion.
“Both countries have issues, and only through dialogue can those be resolved,” he said.
Mustafizur said the visit might not take place immediately, but it would be better for it to happen in the near future rather than be delayed further.
“India is showing interest in the visit, meaning it has interests and concerns it would like to address. It is up to us how we prepare ourselves, act accordingly and proceed on a reciprocal basis,” he said.
Former ambassador Md Abdul Hye also stressed the importance of diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours.
“Both countries need to talk to resolve crises, address challenges and work towards future cooperation,” he said.
Hye said both sides needed to send appropriate diplomatic messages to each other to create an environment conducive to improving bilateral relations.
The proposed visit has drawn attention as Dhaka and New Delhi seek to address several outstanding issues amid strained bilateral ties. Diplomats say sustained high-level engagement will be important for rebuilding confidence and creating space for resolving contentious issues through negotiations.
