Dinesh Trivedi likely to be India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh amid reset in ties

Dinesh Trivedi, a former Union minister and veteran politician from West Bengal, is expected to be appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, sources said on Sunday, in a move seen as part of New Delhi’s efforts to recalibrate ties with Dhaka.

The development comes as the current envoy, Pranay Verma, has been named India’s next ambassador to Belgium and the European Union. Verma, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, assumed charge in Dhaka in September 2022.

Sources indicated that the government is considering appointing a political figure to the strategically significant post, signalling a push for stronger political engagement with Bangladesh at a time when bilateral relations have faced strain.

Ties between the two countries witnessed a downturn following the political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus was followed by the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in February this year.

Against this backdrop, Trivedi’s possible appointment is being viewed as an attempt to bring experienced political leadership into diplomatic engagement with Dhaka.

The 75-year-old leader has held key positions in the Union government, including Railway Minister in 2011 and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA regime. He has represented West Bengal both in the Lok Sabha from Barrackpore and in the Rajya Sabha. Trivedi was earlier associated with the Trinamool Congress before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021.

If confirmed, he would succeed Verma in Dhaka, following a line of seasoned envoys including Vikram Doraiswami, who served as High Commissioner from 2020 to 2022.

There has been no official announcement yet regarding Trivedi’s appointment.