Dhaka: Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday said differences between the two neighbours can be resolved through dialogue and expressed hope that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India would take place "much sooner".
Trivedi's remarks came amid uncertainty over Rahman's proposed visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13 and fresh strains in bilateral ties over Dhaka's demand for the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Dhaka, Trivedi said Bangladesh and India were two sovereign countries that not only shared a border but also "share a dream", the UNB news agency reported.
"We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy," Trivedi said, stressing the importance of dialogue in addressing bilateral issues.
"Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," he said. The envoy added that he hoped Rahman's visit to India would take place "much sooner".
Trivedi's remarks came hours after Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson A K M Shahidul Karim said officials from the two countries had been in contact for several weeks over Rahman's proposed India visit, but that a "propitious environment" needed to be created for the trip.
Describing Rahman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "people's persons", Trivedi said that when the two leaders meet and interact, no issue should remain unaddressed.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the two sovereign countries would have differences and needed space to pursue their respective interests.
"We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay… My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh," he said.
Trivedi said the common goal should be to ensure dignity and mutual respect for people in both countries and around the world.
"And that's what we strive for," he said.
The issue of Rahman's proposed India visit has gained significance amid a recent deterioration in bilateral ties following Hasina's virtual media interaction from New Delhi on August 5.
Bangladesh expressed outrage over the interaction, saying it had hurt the sentiments of its people and could adversely affect efforts to improve bilateral ties with India.
India's Ministry of External Affairs maintained that it had no role in the media event involving Hasina and did not endorse anything said at the forum about the Bangladesh government.
Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following violent student-led protests and fled to India. In November 2025, she was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Bangladesh over alleged "crimes against humanity" during the crackdown on protesters.
Dhaka has since sought Hasina's extradition from India, while New Delhi has maintained that the request is being examined in accordance with applicable law and established legal procedures.