Archive · 9 Sep 2026
Bangladesh President Urges Talks to Strengthen India Ties
Bangladesh’s president met India’s senior diplomat in Dhaka.
They talked about making the relationship between the two countries stronger.
The president said disagreements should be solved quickly through fair discussions.
He also asked India to help ensure Bangladesh receives a fair share of water from shared rivers.
Both countries said they want more cooperation in trade, technology, transportation, culture and other areas.
The Indian envoy later discussed railways, shipping and connectivity with Bangladeshi ministers.
The meetings happened while the two countries are trying to improve relations after a period of tension.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also been invited to visit India and attend a BRICS outreach session.
Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged quick talks to resolve outstanding issues with India.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Alamgir at Bangabhaban on September 8, 2026, conveying greetings from India.
Both sides highlighted shared history, cultural ties and people-to-people relations while calling for stronger bilateral cooperation.
Alamgir urged India to ensure Bangladesh receives a fair share of common-river waters, including from the Ganges and Teesta.
Trivedi also discussed railways, shipping, connectivity and development projects with Bangladeshi ministers, amid efforts to ease strained ties.
- Who
- Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Bangladeshi ministers, including Sheikh Rabiul Alam.
- What
- They discussed resolving outstanding issues and strengthening India-Bangladesh relations, including cooperation on water, trade, connectivity and development projects.
- When
- The presidential meeting took place on September 8, 2026; Trivedi’s ministerial meeting followed, and he had met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in recent weeks.
- Where
- Bangabhaban in Dhaka, Bangladesh; the later discussions concerned bilateral projects between India and Bangladesh.
- Why
- The officials said stronger cooperation could support mutual prosperity, peace, development and closer people-to-people ties.
Bangladesh’s priorities
India’s position
Resolving bilateral disputes
Bangladesh’s priorities
President Alamgir called for outstanding issues to be settled quickly through fair and mutually acceptable discussions while protecting Bangladesh’s sovereign equality, national interests and dignity.
India’s position
Trivedi reiterated India’s commitment to expanding cooperation based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, and said India was taking positive measures on the issues raised.
Shared-river water
Bangladesh’s priorities
Alamgir urged India to take effective measures to ensure Bangladesh receives a fair share of water from common rivers, including the Ganges and Teesta.
India’s position
According to Bangladesh’s press secretary, Trivedi said India was taking positive measures regarding the water issue; the article did not provide further details of India’s position.
State of bilateral relations
Bangladesh’s priorities
Bangladesh described India as its closest neighbour and an important trade and development partner, while seeking a respectful and mutually beneficial partnership.
India’s position
India emphasised the countries’ deep-rooted bonds and ongoing cooperation, while the meetings took place amid tensions over New Delhi’s asylum for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Presidential meeting
- Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on September 8, 2026.
- Location
- Bangabhaban, Dhaka
- Presidential tenure
- Alamgir took office as Bangladesh’s 23rd president on August 21.
- Water concerns
- Alamgir urged India to ensure a fair share of waters from common rivers, including the Ganges and Teesta.
- Cooperation areas
- The discussions covered trade, water resources, technology, connectivity, culture, railways, shipping and development projects.
- Political context
- The meetings followed a period of strained ties linked to India providing political asylum to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after her ouster in August 2024.
- Invitation to Tarique Rahman
- The Bangladesh prime minister has a standing invitation to visit India and was invited to the 18th BRICS Summit outreach session in New Delhi as BIMSTEC chair.
