Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad advocates for people-centric relations between Bangladesh and India

Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad stated on Wednesday that the relationship between Bangladesh and India must transition from being purely government-centric to one rooted in the aspirations of the people. During a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi at the Parliament Building, Speaker Ahmad emphasized that future bilateral relations should be built on mutual respect and the principles of sovereignty.

The Speaker observed that the historical ties between the two nations have frequently been defined by volatility. He characterized the previous Awami League administration, which held power through elections in 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024, as having undermined the democratic rights of the citizens. He noted that the student-led uprising in 2024 has cleared the path for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

In response, High Commissioner Trivedi stated that the Indian government is committed to fostering a people-centric partnership. He affirmed that his government is working to fulfill the public’s aspirations by strengthening connections between the citizens of both countries. The two officials discussed a broad agenda, including the exchange of parliamentary delegations, the Rohingya refugee crisis and their rehabilitation, and increased cooperation in sports and culture. Trivedi extended an official invitation to Speaker Ahmad to visit India on behalf of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Following his meeting with the Speaker, High Commissioner Trivedi held a courtesy meeting with Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal at his office. The discussion focused on parliamentary diplomacy, the modernization of legislative operations through information technology, and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

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During the session, Deputy Speaker Kamal highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing initiative to implement an e-parliament system and expressed interest in receiving technical cooperation from India to ensure its success. He lauded Trivedi’s extensive experience as a parliamentarian, noting that it provides a significant opportunity to bridge the two parliamentary systems.

Speaking to reporters after his meetings, High Commissioner Trivedi remarked that democracy is a continuous, evolving process akin to a flowing river. Addressing a question regarding a potential visit to India by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Trivedi stated that the decision rests solely with the Prime Minister, whom he described as highly intelligent and people-oriented. He expressed confidence that as long as the underlying intent remains focused on the public interest, the bilateral relationship will yield positive outcomes.

The meetings were also attended by the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat, Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, alongside the Deputy High Commissioner of India and other senior officials.