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DHAKA, Oct 5: Bangladesh has not ruled out Prime Minister Tarique Rahman travelling to India, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday, indicating that talks are continuing to create the conditions for a high-level bilateral engagement.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Dhaka, Kobir said relations between neighbouring countries require regular diplomatic contact and described Rahman’s potential trip as a bilateral visit.

He acknowledged that Dhaka and New Delhi are facing difficulties in their relationship but said the issues could be addressed through sustained dialogue. According to him, discussions between the two sides are progressing in a positive direction.

Kobir stopped short of confirming whether the prime minister would travel to India before the end of the year. He said Dhaka wanted the visit to take place in a favourable atmosphere and under an appropriate bilateral framework.

The state minister said senior-level discussions would naturally form part of such a visit, but stressed that groundwork through official channels was necessary before a high-level engagement could take place.

He also praised Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi for his diplomatic efforts and expressed hope that New Delhi would take a receptive approach towards his assessment of developments in Bangladesh.

Relations between the two countries have faced increased pressure since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh for India following her ouster during a youth-led movement in August 2024.

India had invited Rahman to the BRICS Summit held last month, although he did not attend. Dhaka subsequently said Rahman had not been invited in his capacity as Bangladesh’s prime minister and that the invitation had been extended to the chair of BIMSTEC instead.

New Delhi, however, had extended an invitation to Rahman as the current BIMSTEC chair, while a separate bilateral invitation had reportedly been issued in February.

Hasina’s continued stay in India remains a major point of disagreement. Bangladesh has requested her extradition, while India has said the matter is being examined under applicable laws and established procedures.

Dhaka’s foreign ministry said in August that the atmosphere for Rahman’s proposed India trip had been adversely affected by Hasina’s virtual press interaction from New Delhi earlier that month.

India has said it was not involved in the media event and does not endorse remarks made there concerning the Bangladesh government.