New Delhi: The Indian government has appointed former Union minister and senior BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Outgoing High Commissioner Pranay Verma has been reassigned to Brussels, where he will serve as India’s Ambassador to the European Union.
It’s a major diplomatic move by the Centre at a time when bilateral ties between the neighbouring countries seem to be gradually on the mend after a period of strain and mistrust.
The choice of Trivedi is also significant, given his long association with West Bengal politics.
Now 75, former Lok Sabha an
d Rajya Sabha MP was a prominent leader in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and served as Railway Minister in the UPA government. Just before the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2021, Trivedi joined the BJP.
Political analysts see it as a calculated move by the BJP that could have implications for regional political dynamics ahead of future electoral contests.
Trivedi will be taking charge in Dhaka at a time when India and Bangladesh are navigating a tricky phase in bilateral relations, since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister in August 2024 following a massive student-led movement.
A caretaker Bangladeshi government, under Muhammad Yunus, marked a shift in the political landscape. Violence against minority communities, including Hindus, added strain to bilateral relations.
However, Tarique Rahman’s appointment as Prime Minister, following recent general elections in February, have led to a reset in ties as both countries have indicated the willingness to re-engage constructively.