Dhaka, Delhi signal cautious progress on PM’s India visit

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh expects progress soon in discussions over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India, while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said when the time comes, it will certainly happen.
Both made the remarks to reporters after the Indian envoy called on the state minister at the latter’s office at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on Tuesday. “It was totally a courtesy meeting. We did discuss the visit, and we are positive about it,” Humaiun said.
On whether a possible window for the visit had emerged from the talks, the state minister said no date had been fixed. “The timing will come later,” he said, adding that a date would be discussed once the two sides had reached a mutual understanding.
Asked whether Tarique could visit Delhi in November, the state minister said he prefers to deal with facts rather than rumours.
“There are rumours going around. I cannot discuss rumours. I talk about reality. The reality is that we had a very good meeting and I am positive that we can get positive results in the near future,” he said.
However, he confirmed that Tarique’s proposed visit to India was discussed.  On whether a possible window for the visit had emerged from the talk, Humaiun said no date had been fixed.
“The timing will come later,” he said, adding that a date would be discussed once the two sides had reached a mutual understanding.
Humaiun acknowledged challenges in Bangladesh-India relations but said the two sides were working to resolve them through dialogue. He said Tarique would visit India when conditions were conducive and bilateral ties were grounded in mutual respect.
Asked about reports of a possible visit to Dhaka by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Humaiun said no such discussion had taken place. The state minister described his first courtesy meeting with Trivedi since taking office as “very cordial, very good and very fruitful.”Speaking after the meeting, Trivedi said India’s invitation to Tarique remains open, stressing that there was “no need to rush” the visit.
“There was perhaps too much discussion earlier about the prime minister’s visit. Let me reiterate that an invitation has already been extended. I do not think there is any need for haste this timem” he said.
“When the time comes, it will certainly happen. Everything is positive. However, we must be given adequate time. In due course, everything will become positive,” Trivedi added.
Terming Humaiun an important person, Trivedi said he congratulated him on behalf of the High Commission and India.
“I also congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his visit to New York,” he added.