New Delhi: The fifth India-Bangladesh consular dialogue, which was expected by diplomatic sources to be held next week will now be held at “a mutually convenient time”, the MEA said Friday.
“India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a regular press briefing Friday.
The MEA added: “India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh. Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings held under our structured mechanisms in such areas as trade, railways, water resources and border management, among others. The next round of the India-Bangladesh Consular Dialogue, which will also take up matters relating to the Revised Travel Arrangement, will be held on a mutually convenient date.”
The dialogue proposed by Dhaka—the first since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in 2024—was expected by sources to take place this week in Dhaka. On November 9, a London-based law firm Matrix reached out to the Bangladesh High Commission on behalf of Hasina to ask for the issuance of a fresh passport.
The Dhaka-proposed dialogue, expected to be held two years after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, would have seen talks on Hasina’s extradition, as it falls under the purview of consular services. Dhaka, however, has ruled out issuing new travel documents to the former prime minister.
Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir told reporters that Bangladesh would pursue Hasina’s return through what he described as an acceptable prisoner-exchange arrangement. He added that any such transfer would have to be handled carefully and under proper surveillance.
A Bangladeshi diplomatic source said the next round of India-Bangladesh consular dialogue was unlikely to take place this year despite Dhaka proposing a fresh date as tensions over the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina continue to complicate efforts to restore bilateral ties.
The last round was held in New Delhi on 29 May 2024, barely two months before Hasina’s 15-year rule came to an end.
The proposed meeting was to take place at the level of director generals of the foreign ministries of both countries.
Visa, extradition and more
The proposed consular dialogue was expected to address border management, visa procedures and the repatriation of citizens detained in either country.
India had significantly cut down visa issuance to Bangladeshi nationals after relations deteriorated following the August 2024 uprising. Restrictions have since been eased following the formation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government led by Tarique Rahman in February 2026.
India resumed tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals in June, after a prolonged suspension. Bangladesh, too, resumed issuing visas to Indian citizens across categories following the change in government in February.
Economic engagement has also gathered pace. The two countries held a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade in October, the first in three years, to discuss ways to expand bilateral commerce and address obstacles affecting trade.
Discussions have also taken place on reopening border markets, making land ports fully operational and easing restrictions on the movement of goods.
India and Bangladesh established the consular dialogue mechanism in 2017 to provide a regular channel for discussions on consular services, visas and mutual legal assistance. Four rounds of talks have been held so far, all during the Awami League’s tenure in Dhaka.
At the fourth round in May 2024, the two sides discussed visa-related matters, repatriation and cases under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Bangladesh prosecutor says Hasina has no legal option left to challenge death sentence