Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit India in April, marking the first high-level engagement since Tarique Rahman’s government assumed power in Dhaka. This visit aims to mend the strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
Rahman, who previously served as the National Security Adviser under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, will stop in New Delhi on April 8 en route to Mauritius for the Indian Ocean Conference. This visit comes after Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma extended an invitation from India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting in Dhaka last month.
The new Bangladeshi government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has expressed a desire to maintain a balanced foreign policy, avoiding favoritism towards regional powers such as India or China. However, Rahman has acknowledged India’s historical ties with Bangladesh and expressed a commitment to advancing bilateral relations based on mutual respect and equality.
The two countries have a complex history, with previous governments led by Tarique Rahman’s mother, Khaleda Zia, experiencing tensions with India. The new administration seeks to move beyond past grievances and focus on shared interests, including connectivity, trade, and regional cooperation.
As both nations look to the future, this visit could pave the way for enhanced collaboration in various sectors, potentially leading to greater regional stability and prosperity. The outcome of Rahman’s discussions in India will be closely watched as an indicator of the evolving diplomatic landscape in South Asia.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 20, 2026
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