Pranay Verma Bids Farewell, India Reiterates Commitment to Deeper Bangladesh Ties

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Sunday reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to a future-oriented and people-centric partnership with Dhaka during a farewell call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Verma, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is set to assume charge as Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union , marking the end of his diplomatic tenure in India’s mission in Bangladesh.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, was also attended by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. Rahman thanked Verma for his contributions to bilateral relations and conveyed best wishes for his new assignment. The Indian High Commission said the discussions briefly covered mutual interest areas and development-driven cooperation priorities .

Verma reaffirmed India’s willingness to deepen multifaceted engagement with Bangladesh for the mutual benefit and shared prosperity of the peoples of both countries , according to official statements.

Beyond the bilateral exchange, Verma also emphasised a broader strategic framing of ties, noting in separate remarks that India and Bangladesh must pursue a “future-oriented agenda” aligned with their evolving national priorities and growing capabilities. He underlined that the two countries, as major regional economies, should act as anchors for regional integration and stability .

He also highlighted that both sides are important stakeholders in peace, stability and development in the shared region , stressing cooperation on long-term challenges such as economic resilience and climate-related concerns, according to multiple statements issued during his farewell engagements.

Verma’s tenure, which began on September 21, 2022, coincided with a politically complex period in Bangladesh. Diplomatic ties experienced strain during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, followed by ongoing efforts to stabilise relations after recent political transitions.

His successor, former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner to Dhaka. The appointment is part of India’s broader effort to strengthen diplomatic presence in Bangladesh at a time when both sides are attempting to rebuild trust and expand cooperation.