Bangladesh-India consular dialogue in Dhaka postponed - Prothom Alo English

Flags of Bangladesh and IndiaThe fifth consular dialogue between Bangladesh and India, scheduled to take place in Dhaka, has been postponed. A senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the development.

The two-day dialogue was scheduled for 17 and 18 November in Dhaka.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi told this correspondent that India requested a postponement through a diplomatic note last week, citing scheduling difficulties.

Several diplomatic sources in Dhaka, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the dialogue had been planned with the consent of both sides.

However, following the postponement, there is little likelihood of the meeting taking place this year.

Ahead of the consular dialogue, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on 3 November.

At the meeting, officials suggested that the two countries discuss a range of bilateral issues, including preventing attempts at illegal push-ins, peaceful border management, visa operations, repatriation of citizens detained in the two countries, the release and repatriation of fishermen, and mutual legal assistance.

Since the dialogue process began in 2017, Bangladesh and India have held four rounds of consular talks. The fourth dialogue took place in New Delhi in May 2024.