Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on April 7 for the new BNP government's first high-level outreach to India. Agenda includes fuel supplies amid West Asia war-induced energy crisis, wheat imports, water sharing, and border security. Traders expect significant wheat purchases from India after export ban lift.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on April 7, where he will meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval that evening. On April 8, he is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and possibly Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The visit runs from April 7 to 9.
This marks the first high-level political outreach by the BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which swept to power in February elections, 18 months after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024. Rahman told Prothom Alo, “We want a normal relationship with India based on mutual respect, dignity, and interests.”
Key agenda item is fuel supplies amid Bangladesh's energy crisis triggered by the West Asia war. Bangladesh seeks wheat imports from India after New Delhi lifted its export ban on February 13, allowing 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 500,000 tonnes of products. Traders from both countries are engaged in negotiations.
Other topics include renewing the Ganga water-sharing treaty expiring this December, Teesta water dispute, lifting trade restrictions imposed post-July 2024 uprising, border management, and visa issuance. Indian wheat, though costlier due to minimum support price, may appeal amid soaring shipment costs from the Iran war.
