News Desk
India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, arrived in the country on Friday to formally assume charge of his diplomatic responsibilities at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The veteran Indian politician entered Bangladesh by road through the Benapole land port in Jashore, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a significant chapter in Bangladesh-India relations.
Trivedi, accompanied by his wife, Mrinal Trivedi, crossed into Bangladesh at approximately 12:00 noon through the Benapole Immigration Checkpost in Sharsha upazila. Upon arrival, he was accorded a warm reception by senior officials from both Bangladesh and India.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh Pawan Kumar Tulsi Das and Deputy Chief of Protocol of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arif Mahmud formally welcomed the new envoy at the Benapole–Petrapole no-man’s land with floral greetings. Several local administrative and law enforcement officials were also present, including Benapole Port Director Shamin Hossain, Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fazle Wahid, Immigration Officer-in-Charge Syed Mortuza Ali, and Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Port Police Station Ashraf Hossain.
Following the completion of immigration and official protocol procedures, Trivedi proceeded towards Dhaka under tight security arrangements, accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner.
Speaking to journalists upon his arrival, Trivedi emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between Bangladesh and India, highlighting the shared realities and aspirations of the two neighboring countries.
“India has a population of 140 crore, and if we add another 20 crore, it becomes 160 crore. I want to work collectively, not separately. The sky is the same, the air is the same,” he remarked, underscoring the interconnected nature of the two nations.
Addressing concerns related to cross-border mobility, the new High Commissioner expressed optimism about resolving visa-related issues through dialogue and cooperation. “We will resolve visa-related issues together. We share not only a common border but also common aspirations. Our challenges are also, in many cases, shared. There is no scope for going wrong. With mutual understanding and goodwill, every problem can be resolved,” he said.
Trivedi further stated that strengthening people-to-people connections would be the primary focus of his tenure. “My only priority is the relationship between the people of Bangladesh and India. We are all brothers and sisters. The welfare of the people is most important,” he noted.
He also stressed that bilateral relations extend beyond geographical proximity and are rooted in shared aspirations, cultural affinities, and longstanding social connections between the peoples of the two countries.
The appointment of Trivedi is being viewed as particularly significant in diplomatic circles. Aged 75, he is a former Union Minister of India and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Appointed to the post in April, he becomes the first politician to serve as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, a role traditionally held by career diplomats.
Observers believe his political experience and close understanding of policymaking in New Delhi could bring a new dimension to bilateral engagement at a time when both countries seek to deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, regional security, and people-to-people exchanges.
As he begins his tenure in Dhaka, expectations are high that Trivedi will work to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and India while addressing key issues of mutual interest through dialogue and cooperation.
