Bangladesh has extensive engagements with India as neighbours, says home minister

Home minister calls for sovereign equality and an end to border killings in meeting with Indian high commissioner

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said Bangladesh has extensive engagements with India and expects to resolve outstanding issues through regular communication.

He made the remarks to reporters on Sunday after a courtesy call by Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at the Secretariat.

“As neighbours, we have a great deal of engagement with India. There is trade, travel and cooperation in many sectors,” the minister said, adding that security matters between the two countries were also discussed.

He said Dhaka sought collaboration “on the basis of mutual interest, dignity and benefit” and expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue on the principle of sovereign equality.

The minister stressed the need to prevent border killings and said regular meetings between Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Security Force should help reduce such incidents.

“They said they are sincere and will instruct all relevant agencies,” he added.

On visas, Salahuddin said India had not fully resumed operations after its consulates and visa offices came under attack over the past one and a half years, but had assured a gradual reopening.

High Commissioner Verma noted that medical visas were being issued in adequate numbers.

According to a home ministry statement, the meeting also covered director general-level Border Guard Bangladesh-Border Security Force talks, training exchanges between police academies, participation in India’s ITEC programme, prisoner repatriation, boosting trade and strengthening overall bilateral cooperation.

The minister said Bangladesh wanted to move relations forward, “not backwards”, drawing lessons from the past and building ties on shared history, culture, and mutual interests.