Khalilur meets Jaishankar as Dhaka-Delhi ties show signs of thaw
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held private discussions with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar following their formal meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, marking a significant step towards normalising ties between the two neighbours.
The meeting, which took place during Khalilur's first official visit to Delhi since assuming office, focused on both bilateral cooperation and regional security concerns, diplomatic sources confirmed.
Bangladesh Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir, who travelled as part of the Foreign Minister's entourage, also attended the talks.
Khalilur's visit comes at a pivotal moment for Bangladesh-India relations. Tensions had risen following the political transition in Dhaka after the July 2024 change of government. However, the formation of the BNP-led administration after the 12 February elections has opened a new chapter, with both sides expressing willingness to rebuild trust.
As the first minister from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government to visit India, Khalilur Rahman described his trip as a "goodwill mission" aimed at resetting long-term cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests. He arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The day's engagements began with a breakfast meeting between Foreign Minister Rahman and a group of senior Indian editors and journalists, where he outlined Dhaka's vision for regional partnership.
The formal bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar followed at Hyderabad House, with delegations from both sides in attendance.
Later in the afternoon, Rahman was scheduled to meet Hardeep Singh Puri, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to explore opportunities for energy cooperation.
On his first day in Delhi, the Foreign Minister also held consultations with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Drawing on his own experience as Bangladesh's NSA during the interim administration, Khalilur conveyed Dhaka's commitment to advancing a relationship grounded in trust, transparency and long-term strategic alignment.
Following the conclusion of his Delhi engagements, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and the PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir will depart for Mauritius on Thursday morning. They will attend the Indian Ocean Conference in Port Louis on 11 and 12 April, where regional maritime security, climate resilience and economic connectivity are expected to feature prominently on the agenda.