India-Bangladesh consular dialogue will be held on a mutually convenient date, says Ministry of External Affairs

Bangladesh and India flags.

The fifth round of the India-Bangladesh consular dialogue will be held on a “mutually convenient date”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (November 13).

Speaking to the media during the bi-weekly media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the MEA, reiterated that India seeks to build “positive, constructive and forward-looking” relations with Bangladesh.

“The next round of the India-Bangladesh Consular Dialogue, which will also take up matters relating to the Revised Travel Arrangement, will be held on a mutually convenient date. India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

The Hindu had reported on Thursday (November 12) about the postponement of the consular talks that were to be held on November 17 and 18.

“India desires a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh. Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings held under our structured mechanisms in such areas as trade, railways, water resources, and border management, among others,” said Mr. Jaiswal.

Diplomatic sources had indicated that the postponement was because of the spike in tensions in view of the proposed return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. Ms. Hasina has been in India since August 5, 2024 and she has said that she would return to Dhaka in December.

The two sides started consular dialogue in 2017 to strengthen people-to-people contact by having a regular channel of communication on consular, visa, and mutual legal assistance cooperation matters. Four rounds of consular dialogue were held during the rule of the Awami League in Dhaka. The MEA said the fourth round in May 2024 discussed issues such as “visa matters, repatriation, mutual legal assistance treaty cases, etc.”