India seeks ‘positive, forward-looking’ ties with Bangladesh: Jaiswal

India on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a “positive, constructive and forward-looking” relationship with Bangladesh amid renewed diplomatic tensions and the postponement of bilateral consular talks.
“India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh,” Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
His remarks came at a time when the next round of the Bangladesh-India consular dialogue, scheduled for next week, has been postponed and is expected to be held on a mutually convenient date.
Jaiswal said the two countries had continued to engage through established bilateral mechanisms, holding meetings on issues including trade, railways, water resources and border management.
He added that the next consular dialogue would also cover issues related to the revised travel arrangement.
“India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level,” he said.
Bilateral relations have come under renewed strain following former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s virtual media interaction in New Delhi on 5 August. Dhaka subsequently renewed its demand for her extradition.
India distanced itself from the interaction, saying it had neither played any role in organising the event nor endorsed Hasina’s remarks.
The ousted prime minister has been living in New Delhi since fleeing Bangladesh on 5 August 2024, following the fall of her government amid a mass anti-government student-people uprising.