New Delhi: Reaffirming India’s core “Neighbourhood First” policy, Indian diplomatic envoys held high-level meetings with the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Nepal on the same day, focusing on regional cooperation, bilateral development and strategic engagement.
Ambassador Dinesh Trivedi meets Bangladesh PM tarique Rahman
In Dhaka, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat. The meeting served as a crucial step to foster constructive dialogue and steer bilateral ties forward amidst recent diplomatic friction. Discussions touched upon enhancing people-centric cooperation across multiple domains including trade and regional stability.
Emphasising the value of direct communication, High Commissioner Trivedi noted that dialogue between leadership remains the most effective pathway to resolving outstanding bilateral concerns. Addressing reporters in Dhaka on August 9, Sunday after inaugurating a children’s corner at the Indian Visa Application Centre, Trivedi expressed strong optimism regarding the engagement and emphasised the importance of direct dialogue.
High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Tarique Rahman on 10 August 2026.
High Commissioner conveyed greetings from Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the intent to work together with the Government and the people of… pic.twitter.com/hkTmUYb1Bs
— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) August 10, 2026
“I feel that when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are solved. Problems are sorted out when we talk to each other. And I have full confidence that people are together and the solution will definitely happen. I am very confident. There is nothing negative here; everything is positive”, the Indian envoy said.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh Prime Minister welcomed the Indian envoy, who shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the past two months. Tarique Rahman underlined the necessity of cultivating an enabling environment to advance bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
The diplomatic engagement comes just days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a virtual press conference. India had distanced itself from Hasina’s engagement, clarifying that the government had no role in the event held in the national capital. Addressing a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that the event was being organised by a “private media entity” and that New Delhi does not endorse any views that may be expressed there.
The high-level meeting also coincides with India’s invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September in his capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC.
India’s Ambassador meets Nepal PM Balendra Shah
Simultaneously in Kathmandu, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, paid a courtesy call on Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar. The 45-minute interaction marked a significant milestone as PM Balendra Shah, who had previously maintained a strict policy of avoiding individual, one-on-one meetings with foreign diplomats, broke his self-imposed rule to meet directly with the Indian envoy.
Honoured to call on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal (@ShahBalen) this morning. Conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi ji (@narendramodi). Had an engaging & productive exchange of views on further deepening robust, multi-faceted India 🇮🇳- Nepal 🇳🇵 partnership@MEAIndia… pic.twitter.com/g8HAilTBuU
— Naveen Srivastava, Indian Foreign Service (Retd.) (@navsri6619) August 10, 2026
Ambassador Srivastava conveyed warm greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising a mutual dedication to cultivating a robust, multifaceted partnership. The discussions heavily centred on expanding cooperation in development projects, trade, energy and infrastructure to reinforce the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties shared between the two nations.
Ambassador Srivastava extended his best wishes to Prime Minister Shah and reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. In response, Prime Minister Shah emphasised the need to deepen historical ties between the two neighbouring nations and highlighted the value of joint collaboration across areas of mutual interest.
Releasing an official statement on the dialogue, the Nepal Prime Minister’s Office posted on X, “Ambassador of India to Nepal H. E. Mr Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Balendra Shah at Singhadurbar today. On the occasion, discussions were focused on further strengthening Nepal-India relations, promoting bilateral cooperation and enhancing development partnership for the mutual benefit of two countries”.
Sharing details of the engagement, Ambassador Srivastava stated on X, “Honoured to call on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal this morning. Conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi. Had an engaging & productive exchange of views on further deepening robust, multi-faceted India-Nepal partnership”.
Coming on the same day, these coordinated diplomatic interactions underscore New Delhi’s active commitment to robust, continuous engagement with its immediate South Asian neighbours, prioritising direct communication and mutual development under the “Neighbourhood First” doctrine. India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy serves as a cornerstone foreign policy initiative designed to give primary focus to diplomatic, economic and security ties with countries in its immediate South Asian periphery.
Conceptualised in 2008, the approach was formally institutionalised and reinvigorated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 to foster a peaceful, seamlessly connected and mutually supportive regional & neighbourhood environment. The framework aims to foster regional stability, deepen economic integration and expand infrastructural connectivity across immediate neighbours such as Bangladesh and Nepal through collaborative transit corridors, shared energy networks and joint infrastructure, while actively managing shifting domestic political dynamics and broader strategic competition across South Asia.
(With Inputs from ANI)
