Humaiun hopeful of progress on PM Tarique’s India visit talks
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today expressed optimism about progress towards a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, saying existing challenges could be addressed through dialogue and the visit would require a mutually conducive environment.
"I am very positive that we may have positive outcomes in the very near future," he told journalists at the foreign ministry after Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi called on him.
"Challenges do exist, which we will overcome through dialogue. We will undertake this visit when the environment is conducive, based on mutual respect," he said.
Humaiun described the meeting, the Indian envoy's first courtesy call on him since he assumed office as state minister, as cordial, productive and constructive.
Asked when the prime minister's visit might take place, he said the timeline would be discussed once the two sides had created a mutually favourable environment. He declined to comment on speculation that the visit could take place in November.
"Discussions are ongoing. But I cannot talk based on rumours," he said.
The state minister said the Indian national security adviser's possible visit to Dhaka had not been discussed at the meeting. He did not elaborate when asked to identify the challenges he had mentioned.
After the meeting, Trivedi expressed hope that the political leadership of both countries would find a convenient time for further engagement.
He said they are very confident that whenever the Prime Ministers of both sides find it convenient, he is sure things will happen.
The High Commissioner, however, said political compulsions on both sides remain but noted that "work is in progress".
"There is no question about anything like it. I am positive, the state minister is positive, and the people of Bangladesh are positive. Everything is possible," Trivedi told reporters
