Trivedi flies towards a reset in Indo-Bangladesh relations

AS DHAKA GRADUATES FROM THE CATEGORY OF LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, SEVERAL TRADE CONCESSIONS AND PREFERENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT INDIA HAD EXTENDED UNILATERALLY OVER THE YEARS WILL INEVITABLY REQUIRE REVISION. OFFICIALS IN BOTH COUNTRIES ARE THEREFORE EXPLORING THE CONTOURS OF A NEW TRADE FRAMEWORK DESIGNED FOR A MORE ECONOMICALLY BALANCED RELATIONSHIP.

- JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY

India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh will be flying down to Bangladesh from Kolkata on Friday at a delicate moment in the relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka, with both sides seeking to reset ties amid political change, emerging strategic frictions, and a series of consequential negotiations that will shape bilateral relations for years to come.

Speaking to UNI before his departure for Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi struck a conciliatory note, describing India and Bangladesh as partners responsible for “fulfilling the aspirations of nearly 160 crore people.”

Calling Bangladesh India’s “most special relationship”, he signalled New Delhi's desire to preserve the broad foundations of a partnership that has weathered political transitions and periodic tensions.

Ahead of the short flight, Trivedi paid his tribute at Netaji Bhavan, home to Subhas Chandra Bose, the hero of the sub-continent’s fight against British rule and a figure revered across borders. “It's appropriate that I seek the blessings of Netaji Subhas Bose, a true patriot for the sub-continent, before I take up my new assignment,” said Trivedi, the second political appointee to the position in more than 50 years.

Trivedi, who has been the railway minister in India’s central government, will arrive in Dhaka as negotiations over two of the most important pillars of the bilateral relations, water sharing and trade, commence afresh.