Bangladesh, India Can Rise Together: Trivedi

India’s High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, has expressed optimism about the future of Bangladesh-India relations, saying the two neighbours can emerge together as strong democracies and influential global powers.

Speaking in Kolkata on Thursday ahead of his departure for Bangladesh, Trivedi said the people of both countries share the potential to achieve greater prosperity and global influence through closer cooperation.

“We hope that together Bangladesh and India can emerge as strong democracies and become major global powers. I am confident we will achieve that goal,” he said.

Trivedi recently received his credentials from Droupadi Murmu following his appointment as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources said he is expected to arrive in Bangladesh through the Benapole-Petrapole land port on Friday to assume his new responsibilities.

Before his departure, the veteran Indian politician visited Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata, describing the visit as personally meaningful and a source of inspiration.

He also expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for entrusting him with the diplomatic role, saying he looked forward to working to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Referring to the people of Bangladesh and India as closely connected, Trivedi said he was coming to Bangladesh with goodwill and optimism for stronger cooperation.

Trivedi, a former Union Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in India, previously served as a senior leader of the All India Trinamool Congress before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021.

In recent weeks, he also met Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi to discuss issues of mutual interest, including border security and military cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

India formally announced Trivedi’s appointment as the next High Commissioner to Bangladesh in April.