Stronger cooperation between Bangladesh and India could transform the two neighbouring democracies into a significant global economic force, newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said today (12 June).
“The combined strength of the two countries could play an important role internationally,” he told reporters after entering Bangladesh through the Benapole-Petrapole land port this morning.
Officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indian High Commission and Benapole Land Port welcomed him at the no-man’s land area of the border crossing.
Responding to questions on recent tensions along the border over alleged push-ins and restrictions affecting travel and trade, Trivedi said, “India and Bangladesh share the same sky and we will take steps in the future that are beneficial for both countries.”
He stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the two nations, saying, “I am not only thinking about India’s 140 crore people but also Bangladesh’s 20 crore people. Whatever is beneficial for these 160 crore people, I am confident the people of Bangladesh will support. We should work together and succeed in what we seek to achieve.”
Trivedi also expressed hope that bilateral relations would deepen further during his tenure and that tourist visa services would resume soon.
India appointed Trivedi, a former railway minister and veteran politician from West Bengal, as its 18th high commissioner to Bangladesh. He succeeds Pranay Verma, who has been posted as India’s ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.
Trivedi arrived in Bangladesh accompanied by his wife, Mrinal Trivedi. After completing formalities at Benapole, he left for Dhaka by road around 12:30pm.
A seasoned politician with close ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trivedi is widely known for his fluency in Bangla and his familiarity with Bengal’s culture and politics.
Born into a Gujarati business family, the 75-year-old politician began his political career in the Congress party before joining the Janata Dal.
He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1990 and later joined the Trinamool Congress, serving as a member of the upper house and subsequently as India’s railway minister during the United Progressive Alliance government.
He also served as minister of state for health and family welfare. In 2019, he contested the Barrackpore parliamentary seat but was defeated by BJP candidate Arjun Singh.
Although later renominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Trinamool Congress, he left the party in February 2021 and formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the following month.
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