India’s diplomatic envoys reaffirmed the country’s “Neighbourhood First” policy by holding high-level meetings with the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Nepal on the same day, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to regional cooperation and strategic engagement.

In Dhaka, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The meeting was aimed at fostering constructive dialogue and advancing bilateral ties amidst recent diplomatic friction. Discussions focused on enhancing people-centric cooperation, trade, and regional stability.

The Bangladeshi side expressed hope that India would expedite the extradition process for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while also reiterating requests regarding individuals sought in connection with domestic legal cases. Trivedi emphasised that direct dialogue between leaders remains the most effective pathway to resolving outstanding concerns.

The talks came against the backdrop of Sheikh Hasina’s virtual press interaction in New Delhi on 5 August, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia.

The event, marking the second anniversary of her ouster in the 2024 student-led uprising, drew strong objections from Dhaka. Hasina declared her intent to return to Bangladesh in December to restore democracy, despite acknowledging the risks of imprisonment or even a death sentence.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong protest, condemning Hasina’s remarks and noting that the incident complicated efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation. India clarified its position, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressing that the event was organised by a private media entity and that the government had no involvement or endorsement of views expressed there.

Before meeting the Prime Minister, Trivedi had held discussions with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. He also met the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other senior officials.

Speaking to reporters, Trivedi expressed optimism about the engagement, noting that problems are best resolved through direct dialogue. He praised Tarique Rahman as a leader who speaks from the heart and emphasised mutual respect between the two nations’ leadership.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement reiterating its hope that India would expedite Hasina’s extradition and return individuals involved in the murder of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure of the July uprising who was killed in December 2025.

The meeting also coincided with India’s invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair, highlighting India’s effort to integrate regional leadership into broader multilateral frameworks.

Simultaneously in Kathmandu, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met Prime Minister Balendra Shah at Singha Durbar. The 45-minute interaction was notable as Shah broke his self-imposed rule of avoiding one-on-one meetings with foreign diplomats, signalling a shift in his approach to direct engagement.

Srivastava conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasised India’s dedication to strengthening a robust, multifaceted partnership. Discussions centred on expanding cooperation in development projects, trade, energy, and infrastructure, reinforcing the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Shah highlighted the importance of deepening historical ties and joint collaboration across areas of mutual interest. The Nepal Prime Minister’s Office released a statement confirming the focus on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing development partnerships. Srivastava also shared details of the meeting on X, describing the exchange as engaging and productive.

These coordinated diplomatic interactions on the same day illustrate India’s active commitment to continuous engagement with its immediate neighbours under the “Neighbourhood First” doctrine. The policy, conceptualised in 2008 and institutionalised under Prime Minister Modi in 2014, prioritises diplomatic, economic, and security ties with South Asian neighbours.

The framework aims to foster regional stability, deepen economic integration, and expand infrastructural connectivity through collaborative transit corridors, shared energy networks, and joint infrastructure projects. It also seeks to manage shifting domestic political dynamics and broader strategic competition across South Asia.

India’s simultaneous outreach to Bangladesh and Nepal demonstrates the operationalisation of this policy, reinforcing New Delhi’s role as a proactive regional partner committed to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual development.

ANI