Neighboring India used to highlight the relationship with Bangladesh as a 'golden chapter'. Since Sheikh Hasina took refuge there after resigning as Prime Minister in the face of the student uprising, the political relations between the two countries got tangled. As the beginning of trying to open this mess, a short talk was recently held between the foreign ministers of the two countries. After this, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri is coming to Dhaka.
According to diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi, his visit may take place in mid-December. Now the two sides are talking about fixing the date of the visit.
Although Vikram Mishri's visit to Dhaka to attend the annual consultative meeting (Foreign Office Consultancy-FOC) of the two countries at the level of Foreign Secretary is a routine affair, analysts feel that his visit has political significance in the ongoing domestic and regional situation.
Review of preparations for renewal of common river Ganga water sharing agreement, stop anti-Bangladesh propaganda in Indian media and political speeches of Sheikh Hasina in Delhi, bring her back to the country for trial, implement the highest level commitment of the country to stop the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by BSF on the border, import of daily commodities from India and Bangladesh. They think that Bangladesh can emphasize on various issues, including removing various barriers to exports from the country.
The 30-year water sharing agreement for the common river Ganga signed in 1996 expires in 2026.
Foreign Secretary will lead the delegation of Bangladesh in FOC. Jasim Uddin It is attended by senior officials of many related ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Commerce, Water Resources and Food.
Former ambassador Humayun Kabir, a diplomatic analyst on FOC, told Ajqar newspaper on Tuesday that the visit of India's foreign secretary is in a regular consultative framework, but it is important to take place at this moment.
Humayun Kabir said that the accounting of the various aspects of the multi-dimensional relations between the two countries is done in the FOC, and besides this, both sides can raise new and contemporary topics in formal and informal discussions.
Humayun Kabir, president of the research institute Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, said that last September in New York, foreign adviser Md. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had a brief conversation with Tauhid Hossain. This time Vikram Mishri's visit will provide an opportunity for high-level talks between the two governments.
Vikram Mishri is likely to have a courtesy meeting with the foreign adviser.
Indian English published in an interview with The Hindu chief adviser Dr. Referring to Muhammad Yunus' statement, Humayun Kabir said, when the government wants to return Sheikh Hasina, it has a relationship with the judicial process. But at the moment, what seems more important to the government for political reasons than to return him, is that he should remain silent.
Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since her resignation on August 5. More than two hundred cases have been filed against him on various charges including murder.
According to official sources, both sides are trying to move things forward despite the discomfort in the relations between the two countries. In the meantime, a meeting has been held at the official level regarding the border of Bangladesh with Mizoram, Joint River Commission, Customs and India.
Before this, the last annual FOC was held in Delhi on November 24 last year.
Bangladesh embassies are urged to be active
Bangladesh embassies located in all countries of the region have been instructed to increase diplomatic activities at the bilateral level in preparation for the FOC with India.
Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin gave this instruction to the heads of mission in a virtual meeting held last Monday.
The foreign secretary also directed to strengthen economic diplomacy to find new jobs abroad for Bangladeshi citizens, look at the advantages and disadvantages of expatriate Bangladeshi workers and increase trade, especially exports.
Earlier, in two separate virtual meetings, he gave similar instructions to Bangladesh mission chiefs in Africa and Eastern Europe.
Additional Foreign Secretary Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Director General (Administration) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Nazmul Haque and the Directors General of the concerned departments attended these meetings.
