The head of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party has said there is no problem with the prime minister's upcoming visit to India, but stressed that the trip must take place on the basis of equal status between the two nations, according to a report by প্রথম আলো.
In a statement covered by the Bangladeshi outlet on Friday, the party's amir said the visit should be conducted with mutual dignity, implying that Bangladesh should not approach the engagement from a weaker position. The remarks come as the prime minister's travel to India is scheduled for August 23, as reported by Shomoyer Alo.
The Jamaat leader's comments follow a period of strained ties between Dhaka and New Delhi. According to bdnews24.com, citing The Print, efforts to repair Bangladesh-India relations have stalled over questions surrounding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The unresolved issue has cast a shadow over bilateral discussions, making the upcoming visit a closely watched diplomatic event.
Separately, India briefly issued a statement regarding a possible visit by Tarique Rahman, a key opposition figure, but withdrew it within an hour, as reported by The Daily Star Bangla and Dainik Shiksha. The swift retraction has added to the uncertainty around the current state of diplomatic communications between the two countries.
The prime minister's visit to India is expected to be a focal point for resetting ties, though the Jamaat leader's insistence on equal footing signals that domestic political actors in Bangladesh are closely monitoring the terms of engagement. Observers will be watching whether the visit produces concrete outcomes on contentious issues or merely sets the stage for further dialogue.
