Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said India is eagerly awaiting a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while stressing that the decision rests entirely with the Bangladeshi leader. He spoke to reporters on Wednesday afternoon after meeting Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister Shama Obaed Islam at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka. The meeting was Trivedi’s first with the two ministers since taking up his post in Dhaka.

Trivedi described the talks as very warm and said they covered various aspects of bilateral relations, including sports and cricket. He also referred to the resumption of Indian visas for Bangladeshis, calling it convenient for people in both countries. The high commissioner said India and Bangladesh share a historic relationship, as well as a border, common culture and common dreams.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Tarique Rahman, as the current BIMSTEC chair, to attend the outreach segment of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. Bangladesh has not yet made a final decision on whether it will accept the invitation and attend the summit. Trivedi said he looks forward to building a relationship beneficial to people in both countries.