Good economic relations with Bangladesh must come first: Dinesh Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi has stated that good economic relations with Bangladesh are the essential foundation; once these are properly established, other aspects of the bilateral relationship will progress satisfactorily.

He made the remarks in response to questions from journalists after a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the Secretariat on Monday.

The High Commissioner observed that political and economic differences between the two countries are inevitable. 

Nevertheless, ordinary citizens of both nations, and especially the younger generation, desire development. For this reason both sides must work for mutual progress, a responsibility shared by all.

He further emphasised the need for joint-venture production, noting that Bangladesh’s garment industry is among the finest in the world. If India can supply zippers, machinery and buttons, a beneficial interdependence will be created.

When he visits American or European markets and purchases a shirt or T-shirt bearing the label “Made in Bangladesh”, he said, he experiences a sense of pride that Bangladesh is a neighbour whose garments enjoy such global recognition. 

Similar collaboration through joint ventures, he added, could enable both countries to achieve substantial progress.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir cited that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India currently stands at US$13 billion. 

Certain obstacles had arisen over the past year and a half, and the meeting had specifically addressed how to render the trading relationship smoother and more productive in the period ahead.

India ranks as Bangladesh’s second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. Numerous issues were discussed, including India’s request that land borders be made fully operational, that border haats be reopened, and that the import of yarn through land routes, currently prohibited, be resumed.

The minister expressed confidence that relations would strengthen further under the Indian High Commissioner’s initiative and during his tenure. 

He also recalled that an Indian trade delegation had recently met him and proposed the formation of task forces comprising businesspeople from both countries, one of which would focus on the development of digital infrastructure. 

Through these mechanisms continuous efforts are under way to inject momentum into commercial relations, to advance them steadily, and to identify new investment opportunities—an ongoing process that will be sustained.