Dinesh Trivedi: Good relations will be a ‘win-win situation’ for both countries

❐ Staff Reporter

Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi has said that although there are issues of dispute between Bangladesh and India, these issues need to be resolved due to historical realities and geographical location.

He said that the people of both countries want the same thing – to maintain good relations. And if relations are good, it will be a ‘win-win situation’ for both countries.

Dinesh Trivedi made these remarks to reporters after a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat today, Monday, August 10.

Regarding the recent tensions between the two countries, the Indian High Commissioner said, “In a democracy, there will be differences of opinion and issues. However, he believes that these problems can be resolved through dialogue.”

Dinesh Trivedi said, “I have mentioned before that the people of India are waiting for the Prime Minister of India. We are very positive that if the two leaders sit together, have discussions… there will be issues (conflicting issues) in a democracy, if there are no issues, it is not a democracy.”

There will be our issues, there will be Bangladesh’s issues. But the issue of the people is the same – good relations. And good relations are a win-win situation. This is our historical heritage, you cannot change it. You cannot change your neighbors, you cannot change history.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue to resolve problems, he said that the two countries not only share borders, but also share their dreams.

Dinesh Trivedi said, “I always say, we don’t just share borders, we also share dreams. We share dreams, right?

“I think the coming days will be very good. The issue has to be short-circuited, from both sides. I am very confident. It was very good to meet him (the Prime Minister).”

When asked about the recent tensions in bilateral relations between the two countries, Dinesh Trivedi said that having differences of opinion is part of democracy.

He compares the matter to family relationships.

He said, “If there are no issues, there will be no democracy. You and I, there are issues at home too. When I go home, there are issues at home too.”

I can say with confidence that there is no issue that we cannot solve. I can say this with confidence that there is no issue that we cannot solve by sitting down.

And it’s a win-win situation between us. Vibrant democracy in both countries, I always say, one democracy in both countries. And both countries want it, the people, the common people want it… The common people of India, the common people of Bangladesh want the same thing—that relations should be good. It’s natural.

Dinesh Trivedi took charge as the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka on June 12. His assumption of office is being seen as an important moment in repairing relations between the two countries amid strained bilateral relations.

After his first courtesy call with the Prime Minister on Monday, he met the Home Minister at the Secretariat. There, in response to questions from journalists, the Indian High Commissioner also spoke about his ‘assignment’ in Bangladesh.

Dinesh Trivedi said, “My coming here… my Prime Minister has always told me that ‘it is very important to have good relations’.”

New Delhi has sent former Indian Railway Minister and BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi on diplomatic duty to Bangladesh with the status of Union Minister.

Recounting his experience of meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said, “Your Prime Minister, I said yesterday as well, he is a man of the people. And it was very good. We met more as a public figure.”

I am not a diplomat. This is a meeting of the people as a representative of the people with a representative of the people. And I am very happy that I met him. As soon as I met him, I didn’t feel like I was meeting him for the first time. Well, very humble. Another The Ground.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman briefed reporters on the matter at the Foreign Ministry after the Indian High Commissioner met with the Prime Minister.

Noting that Bangladesh’s position on the August 5 incident has been conveyed to Indian authorities, he said they have taken the matter seriously.

The Foreign Minister said, “We have clearly stated our position regarding August 5th. And the Indian authorities have taken it seriously. They told me that yesterday as well, and they told the Prime Minister that today as well.”

When asked whether India has expressed regret over this, he said, “No, look, there is no such thing as regret here. You have to understand one thing well – what happened.”

Dhaka has been expressing anger over the opportunity given to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in India, to address a press conference in New Delhi on August 5. Bangladesh has said that Sheikh Hasina has disrespected Bangladesh’s judiciary through that press conference and that India has given her that opportunity.

However, India said that the Indian government had no involvement in the event and did not take responsibility for the statements made there.

The Foreign Minister said, a state has three pillars. Executive, legislative and judicial. Hasina, who is convicted, her place is the judiciary. A competent court in Bangladesh has tried her, sentenced her. What happens to the convicted person? She is taken into custody and if she has any statement, anything to defend herself, she will say it in court.

“So what Hasina did on the 5th is show the thumbs up to the judiciary of Bangladesh… a pillar of the state. And the Indian government allowed that to happen.”

Khalilur Rahman said the issue was also discussed in a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner on Sunday.

He said, “So this is what I said yesterday as well, that we want all countries around the world to respect the entire structure of our state. And we hope that the Indian government will understand this.”

I think that after talking to them, they have understood the situation. And I hope that they will not do anything to undermine any of the pillars of our state. That is our expectation and from what I have talked to them, I am somewhat confident that this will not happen again.

The Foreign Minister said that border killings and ‘push-ins’ were also discussed with the Indian High Commissioner. However, he stated that these issues were not a matter for discussion at the Prime Minister’s level.

Khalilur Rahman said, “We have said these very briefly. These are not discussions at the Prime Minister’s level, I discussed these with him yesterday. We discussed this issue with him yesterday.”

Amidst the strained relations between the two countries, the Indian High Commissioner’s first courtesy call and discussions with the Prime Minister conveys the message of ‘good relations’ and resolving conflicting issues through dialogue.

Dinesh Trivedi’s speech, on the one hand, highlighted the common interests of the people of the two countries, while on the other hand, emphasis was placed on ‘short-cutting’ existing issues through negotiations.