PM Tarique, Modi Are People’s Persons, Says Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "people's persons" and expressed confidence that many issues between the two countries could be resolved if the two leaders meet.

"I listened to his (PM Tarique's) speeches many times. He is a people's person, and our Prime Minister (Modi) is also a people's person. I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence," he told reporters.

The high commissioner said the people of the two countries remain united and expressed optimism that solutions would be found to outstanding issues.

"I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive," he said.

He made the remarks after inaugurating a children's playing area at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC).

Trivedi said there was strong demand for Indian visas and that capacity was gradually being increased.

BRICS invitation

India has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 in his capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

India had also extended a separate bilateral invitation to Tarique Rahman after he assumed office in February 2026.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the BRICS invitation was extended according to the standard practice of inviting heads of regional organisations to the summit's outreach session.

Bangladesh is currently chairing BIMSTEC, which comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said on July 29 that Bangladesh was reviewing the invitation and would announce its decision.

Strained bilateral ties

The comments came amid fresh tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi following former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent media interaction in New Delhi.

Bangladesh expressed strong outrage over the event, saying it was detrimental to bilateral relations and an affront to the country's sovereignty.

India, however, said it had no role in the event and did not endorse the remarks made there.

Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the event was organised by a private media entity and that the Indian government did not endorse anything said at the programme, particularly regarding Bangladesh's government.

He also said India continued to closely monitor developments in its neighbourhood while keeping its national security interests in mind.