Bangladesh PM's visit to India should take place much sooner: Dinesh Trivedi

Reiterating his optimism about addressing any issue through top-level meetings and interactions, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday night said he remains very hopeful that a visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman "should take place much sooner."

"Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," he said, noting that hearts are very close and that he wants to see a golden chapter in Bangladesh-India relations.

Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Baridhara, the High Commissioner said Bangladesh and India do not only share a border; they really share a dream.

The Indian envoy said Bangladesh and India are two sovereign countries. "We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy. No matter how chaotic is democracy......"

He also said, "We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay. But as long as our goals are the same, that we want people, not only of these two countries, but all over the world, you have dignity, respect, mutual respect for each other. And that's what we strive for. And I sincerely wish.....My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh."

Highlighting his efforts towards that goal, the High Commissioner said they have to move on.

The envoy said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is truly a people's person and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too. "Both are people's persons, and the objective is the same. And this is where I have said many times in the media, wherever they have asked me that when two such leaders meet and interact, there is no problem, there is no issue, which cannot be discussed and which cannot be sorted out".

Ambassadors and High Commissioners stationed in Dhaka, former diplomats, businesspeople, city elites, and former civil and defence officials were also present at the event.