Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Bangladesh Envoy Urges India Ties Based on Dignity, Shared Benefits
Bangladesh’s outgoing ambassador to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, spoke about how the two countries can work together.
He said Bangladesh is willing to talk with India as an equal partner.
He believes cooperation should respect both countries and bring benefits to ordinary people.
He said officials responsible for security have started talking with each other again.
He also said concerns about people crossing the border should be handled carefully, one case at a time.
Bangladesh buys electricity from India, he said.
He described water-sharing as important to people, culture and nature.
He wants the countries to work together on more than security, including trade, education and rivers.
He also said political disagreements should not damage the relationship between people.
Outgoing Bangladeshi High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah said Dhaka is ready to engage India on an even keel, with dignity, trust, respect and shared benefits.
He said the two governments’ security establishments resumed seamless interactions within a month of Bangladesh’s new government taking office.
Hamidullah said cross-border mobility concerns should be addressed through case-by-case discussions and by dismantling networks that exploit migrants.
He said Bangladesh buys 2,500 megawatts of power from India, including 1,500 megawatts from Adani Power and 1,000 megawatts from other sources.
He called for a joint, technically informed and politically grounded approach to water-sharing, and urged broader cooperation in trade, education, research and ecosystems.
- Who
- M Riaz Hamidullah, outgoing High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India.
- What
- He discussed Bangladesh-India relations, urging cooperation based on dignity, mutual respect and shared benefits.
- When
- In an interview published as he was completing his posting; he referred to developments over the preceding 17 months.
- Where
- The Indian Express Idea Exchange interview; the discussion concerned Bangladesh and India.
- Why
- He said the countries should better reflect people’s aspirations and address shared concerns through cooperation beyond a narrow security focus.
- Interviewee
- M Riaz Hamidullah, outgoing Bangladesh High Commissioner to India
- Bangladesh prime minister mentioned
- Tarique Rahman
- Bilateral economic interaction cited
- At least US$28–30 billion, according to Hamidullah
- Formal two-way trade cited
- US$13 billion, according to Hamidullah
- Power imports from India
- 2,500 MW: 1,500 MW from Adani Power and 1,000 MW from other sources, including Northeast India
- Ganga Water Treaty
- Hamidullah discussed its renewal, due in December, and called for a mutual, technically and politically informed approach to water-sharing.
- Proposed areas for wider collaboration
- Higher education, research, trade and natural ecosystems, including rivers and wetlands