India envoy meets Bangladesh ministers amid uncertainty over Rahman BRICS visit

India's envoy Dinesh Trivedi met two Bangladesh ministers to discuss economic and healthcare cooperation. The outreach came as distrust over Tarique Rahman's possible India visit and Sheikh Hasina's extradition request strains ties.

In Short

• Finance and planning discussions focused on development projects and economic cooperation
• Healthcare cooperation featured in a separate meeting with Bangladesh's health minister
• Dhaka linked any Rahman visit to rebuilding an atmosphere of mutual trust

India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Bangladesh Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and discussed economic cooperation, bilateral development projects and other issues of mutual interest, according to the Indian mission. The meeting comes at a time of uncertainty over Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to India next month for the BRICS Summit, amid fresh strain in ties over Dhaka's demand for the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Trivedi also met Bangladesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, with both sides discussing healthcare cooperation. The meetings took place as Bangladesh said the possibility of Rahman's India visit "remains slim" unless an appropriate environment based on "mutual trust" is created.

On Thursday, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh said on X: "High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance and Planning of Bangladesh, H. E. Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and held discussions on mutual interest on economic cooperation and bilateral development projects between India and Bangladesh."

Trivedi also presented Chowdhury with a copy of Kautilya's 'Arthashastra'. The Indian mission quoted from the book, saying: "Arthashastra says, 'Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere'."

Earlier, Trivedi met Hossain. The Indian mission said: "Both sides discussed issues of mutual benefit and mutual interest to further people-to-people cooperation in the field of healthcare."

On Wednesday, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the possibility of Rahman's visit to India next month for the BRICS Summit "remains slim" unless an appropriate environment based on "mutual trust" is created. Kobir also expressed resentment over Hasina, who fled to India following the political upheaval, being allowed to use Indian territory for political activities and media appearances.

Earlier this month, Sheikh Hasina addressed a virtual press conference from New Delhi. The Bangladesh government lodged diplomatic protests with India over the matter. The Ministry of External Affairs said it had no role in the media event concerning Hasina and does not endorse anything said at the forum about the Bangladesh government.

Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Bangladesh in November 2025 over alleged "crimes against humanity" during the crackdown on protesters during the youth-led movement. Dhaka has since been seeking her extradition from India, while New Delhi has said the request is under examination in line with applicable law and established legal procedures. The talks between Trivedi and Bangladesh ministers took place against this backdrop of diplomatic engagement and strain.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends