A high-level meeting between the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India is underway at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka.
The discussion, which commenced at 11am on Monday (9 December), is being attended by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jasim Uddin and India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
This marks the first visit by a senior policymaker from New Delhi to Dhaka following the political upheaval in Bangladesh on 5 August, which has strained bilateral relations between the two nations. The ongoing discussions aim to address the overall scope of Bangladesh-India ties and provide a roadmap to surmount the current challenges.
According to sources, the agenda includes critical issues such as the Teesta water-sharing agreement, cessation of border killings, and the restoration of regular visa processes. Both nations are expected to convey messages of overcoming recent diplomatic friction during this visit.
Earlier in the morning, Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka for a one-day visit.
He is leading the Indian delegation in these pivotal discussions.
At 3:30pm, Misri is scheduled to meet Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, followed by a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
He will depart Dhaka after the meetings.
The last foreign secretary-level meeting between the two nations was held in New Delhi in November 2023.
This current engagement underscores the importance of rebuilding trust and cooperation between Dhaka and Delhi.
