Bangladesh on Sunday said that it seeks to "reset" ties with India and establish a new bilateral engagement centred on mutual interests. Describing relations during deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure as "uncomfortable," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said, "We want to move towards a new relationship, which should be done through bilateral discussions, not through a multilateral forum."

The remarks came days after Bangladesh said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not participate in the two-day BRICS Summit hosted by India, as he was not invited directly to the event, with the invitation instead extended to the BIMSTEC chair.

India had invited Rahman to attend the summit as chairman of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), while a separate bilateral invitation had been in place since February.

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Call To Overcome 'India Fascination'

Relations between the two countries have been strained over New Delhi providing refuge to Hasina, who fled to India following her ouster in a youth-led agitation in August 2024.

Kobir stated that Bangladesh needs to move beyond what he described as an "excessive preoccupation" with India and approach its relationship with New Delhi in a balanced manner.

"We have to get out of the India fascination. India is just another country, and Bangladesh wants good bilateral relations with it," he said.

Responding to a question, the minister added, "Breakfast in India, lunch in India, dinner in India -- then when will you eat your own food?"

Focus Shifts To UNGA Visit

Kobir also said that Rahman is scheduled to leave for New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and stay there until September 26.

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Asked about the possibility of a meeting between Rahman and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA, Kobir said such meetings are often decided at the last moment, noting that "the primary focus of the Prime Minister's visit is to address the UN General Assembly."

(With Inputs From PTI)

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