India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri holds talks with Jamaat-e-Islami chief in Dhaka. Here’s why it matters

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Misri travelled to Bangladesh to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Prime Minister.

The meeting with Rahman, whose party has emerged as the country’s largest opposition force following last week’s general elections, took place on the margins of the event.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured significant gains in constituencies located near the India–Bangladesh border.

Sharing details of the interaction, the High Commission of India in Dhaka said in a Facebook post: “Foreign Secretary of India Shri Vikram Misri had a courtesy meeting with the Leader of Opposition of Bangladesh and the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh.”

The post added that Misri conveyed his greetings to Rahman on assuming his new role and reaffirmed India’s enduring support for Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two neighbours and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations.

Separately, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Tarique Rahman and handed over a letter from Indian PM Narendra Modi, congratulating him on his party’s electoral victory and his appointment as Prime Minister.

In the letter, Modi extended a personal invitation to Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida, and daughter Zaima to visit India at a “mutually convenient time,” stating that a warm welcome awaits them.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Rahman’s leadership would steer Bangladesh towards peace, stability and prosperity, while reaffirming the deep-rooted friendship between India and Bangladesh, founded on shared history, cultural ties and common aspirations.

Birla represented the Government of India at the ceremony in Dhaka, as Modi was attending prior engagements in Mumbai with French President Emmanuel Macron.

India–Bangladesh ties, which had experienced strains during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, may now see an opportunity for a diplomatic reset following the decisive electoral outcome.