Ex-minister Dinesh Trivedi to be India’s next high commissioner to Bangladesh: report

The first political appointee for some time, Trivedi will replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who is headed to Brussels, Hindustan Times reports

India's Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi waved as he arrived at his office before heading to present the annual budget for the country's railway system, March 14, 2012. Reuters

India has decided to nominate Dinesh Trivedi, a former minister and MP and current BJP leader, as the country's high commissioner to Bangladesh, reports Hindustan Times.

Trivedi is the first political appointee to Bangladesh in some time. He will replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who is headed to Brussels to serve as India’s envoy to the EU.

The Narendra Modi-led government in Delhi still requires the approval of the Tarique Rahman-led government in Dhaka to send the 75-year-old veteran politician to Dhaka.

Hindustan Times also described the appointment as “a message of accountability to the Ministry of External Affairs' diplomats”.

Trivedi has served as India’s minister for railways and also as minister of state for health and family welfare as a member of the Trinamool Congress. In 2021, he resigned from the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP.

According to the Hindustan Times, Trivedi’s appointment comes as India and Bangladesh seek to stabilise ties amid tensions following the mass uprising that ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. It added that the Modi government’s choice of Trivedi shows it is willing to send political leaders, not just Indian Foreign Service officers, as envoys to key postings.