India and Bangladesh are in talks for an early bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi, preferably before the end of this month or the first week of September, to help in full normalisation of relations. Officials hoped that the early visit would pave the way for the renewal of the Ganga waters treaty, energy deals and removal of the trade restrictions that were imposed in May 2025 on Bangladesh.
Diplomatic sources expressed cautious optimism, saying that “positive developments” can take place quickly in the coming few days. Sources in Dhaka expressed satisfaction over the ongoing exchanges between the two sides but cautioned that continued activities by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or her party Awami League from India have the potential to cast a shadow on fresh initiatives. Sources here also said normalisation will have to be achieved as soon as possible as the diplomatic window may close soon because of other visits and commitments that are being scheduled for the Indian leadership in the remaining four months of the year.
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The exchanges between the Indian and Bangladeshi sides began last Monday (August 10, 2026) when High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi called on Mr. Rahman at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting took place against the backdrop of tension generated by the virtual press conference that was addressed by Ms. Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy at the Foreign Correspondents Club in New Delhi on August 5, 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh said it was “outraged” by Ms. Hasina’s press conference and described the event as an “afront” to the “sovereignty of Bangladesh”.
