Former Indian diplomat Bidyabhushan Soni has expressed optimism that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India could prove beneficial for both countries. He warned that if Tarique Rahman does not visit India, the opportunity could be lost and channels of communication between the two countries may remain closed for a prolonged period.
In an interview with Indian news agency ANI, Soni said the visit could help strengthen India-Bangladesh relations while also creating an opportunity to address several longstanding unresolved bilateral issues.
Soni noted that a number of issues between the two countries remain unresolved, with the sharing of the waters of the Teesta River being one of the most important. Although the two sides have reached agreement on many issues, some key matters have yet to be finalized.
He also said Bangladesh wants India to play a more active role in resolving the Rohingya refugee crisis. According to Soni, India’s most practical option in this regard would be to play an active mediating role with the Myanmar authorities, as Myanmar may be more receptive to India’s position.
If Tarique Rahman’s visit creates an opportunity for such engagement, Bangladesh could ask India to use its influence to help address these longstanding problems, Soni said.
Soni also described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as relatively “more open” and “not anti-India.” He expressed optimism about the new government led by Tarique Rahman, saying, “I think Tarique Rahman is relatively much more open. He is not anti-India and he himself has not made any statement that could be considered against India. So India is also carefully trying to create this opportunity.”
He said statements issued so far by official spokespersons of the two countries have largely been political in nature, while politicians from both sides have yet to make direct statements on the matter. Therefore, he believes the possibility of Tarique Rahman visiting India remains open.
“I am very optimistic about this,” Soni said. In his view, the opportunity to increase communication between India and Bangladesh should not be allowed to slip away.
“If he does not come, this opportunity will be lost. The channel of communication may not remain open for a long time. None of us wants to lose this opportunity. So I am quite optimistic,” he said.
Officials in New Delhi and Dhaka have reportedly been in communication for several weeks regarding Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim confirmed the matter last Sunday.
If the visit takes place, it would be Tarique Rahman’s first trip to India since assuming office in February. Although discussions over the proposed visit are ongoing, no final date has yet been set.