Bangladesh-India consular dialogue postponed amid fresh tensions

The fifth round of consular dialogue between Bangladesh and India, scheduled for 17-18 November, has been postponed. The dialogue was slated to take place in Dhaka at the director general level of the foreign ministries of both countries.

Diplomatic sources said fresh tensions have emerged between the two sides following applications for a passport and national identity card (NID) by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is living in India. The meeting was postponed as a direct result of these circumstances.

A wide range of bilateral matters had been scheduled for discussion during the dialogue, including border management, visa operations, repatriation of detained citizens in both countries, release and repatriation of fishermen, and mutual legal assistance.

The consular dialogue process between Bangladesh and India began in 2017. To date, four rounds of dialogue have taken place between the two countries. The fourth round of dialogue was held in New Delhi in May 2024.