Indian envoy confident Tarique-Modi meeting can resolve issues.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi today expressed confidence that a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi could help resolve outstanding issues between the two neighbours.
Describing both leaders as “people’s persons”, the envoy said direct engagement at the highest political level could contribute significantly to addressing issues in Bangladesh-India relations.
“I listened to his (Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s) speeches many times. He is a people’s person, and our Prime Minister (Modi) too. I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence,” Trivedi told reporters.
The High Commissioner made the remarks after inaugurating a “Children Playing Area” at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in the capital this afternoon.
Expressing optimism about bilateral relations, Trivedi said there was no reason to view the current situation negatively.
“I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive,” he said, adding that solutions could be found through engagement.
His remarks came ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi to which Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier confirmed that New Delhi had separately extended a formal invitation to Tarique Rahman to visit India after he assumed office in February this year.
Last month, foreign minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said that Dhaka was reviewing the invitation and would announce its decision.
Responding to questions on Indian visas, Trivedi said there was huge demand among Bangladeshis and visa processing capacity was being gradually increased.
