Bangladesh Seeks Reset with India Through Stronger People-to-People Engagement, Says Adviser Humayun Kobir

Bangladesh is aiming to reshape its relationship with India through stronger people-to-people engagement and broader institutional cooperation, according to Humayun Kobir, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking after a high-level meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in New Delhi, Kobir emphasized that the current government wants to build a more stable and balanced partnership that avoids the shortcomings seen in earlier phases of bilateral relations.

Kobir explained that the proposed direction for Bangladesh-India ties is intended to move beyond relationships centered primarily on political personalities or party-level connections. Instead, the focus will shift toward long-term engagement between institutions, officials, and citizens of both countries. He noted that strengthening such foundations would help ensure the relationship remains resilient regardless of political changes in either country.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular dialogue between political parties and government officials from both nations. According to Kobir, frequent exchanges at multiple levels are essential for addressing sensitive or complex issues before they escalate into misunderstandings. He said both sides recognize the need for improved communication channels to manage challenges more effectively.

Energy cooperation formed an important part of the discussions during the meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and India’s High Commissioner. Officials reviewed progress related to the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which remains a key project supporting cross-border energy connectivity and economic cooperation between the neighboring countries.

Bangladesh’s leadership believes that strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and public-level engagement can help establish a more durable and forward-looking partnership with India. Kobir said the intention behind the “new” approach is to build trust through sustained collaboration and mutual understanding while ensuring that earlier missteps are not repeated in the future.