Humaiun Kobir stresses 'forward-looking, respectful' engagement with India

High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Tuesday underscored Bangladesh's commitment to work in a “forward-looking and mutually respectful” way with India on issues of mutual interest and benefit of the peoples.

High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The High Commissioner congratulated the State Minister on his appointment.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi described the overall state of Bangladesh-India relations as "absolutely positive", saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India will take place at a mutually convenient time.

"I am telling again. Our invitation is open. I don't think there is a need for a hurry. Everything is very positive. But we must give due time," he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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".

Referring to his interaction with State Minister Kobir, the Indian High Commissioner said he had developed a good relationship with him and described him as "very upright, very frank and very open".

The High Commissioner said their discussions were marked by openness and positivity.

"Our discussions are actually very positive," he said.

Trivedi also spoke positively about Kobir's vision and approach, saying he found the state minister to be open to discussions on issues of mutual interest.

Trivedi said it was essentially a courtesy call and an opportunity to convey his congratulations and greetings.

"It was purely a courtesy meeting - I was happy to congratulate [him] from the High Commissioner's side, from India's side, and I also sent the greetings to the Prime Minister through him," he said.

He also referred to the Prime Minister's recent engagement in New York, saying: "He had great meetings in New York."

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral issues, regional and international matters, including the just-concluded 81st UNGA in New York.

Last week, India reiterated that it wants to take its relationship with Bangladesh forward in a positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner and expressed its willingness to discuss all bilateral issues between the two countries.

"India desires a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while responding to a question about bilateral ties during a media briefing in New Delhi recently.

Jaiswal said India is ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through the existing structured mechanisms.

"Our intent is to take this relationship forward in a positive direction, in a constructive direction, in a forward-looking manner," he said.