India-Bangladesh consular dialogue to be held at mutually convenient date, says Ministry of External Affairs

Flags of Bangladesh and India. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The fifth round of the India-Bangladesh Consular Dialogue will be held on a “mutually convenient date”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (November 13).

Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the MEA, reiterated India’s efforts to build “positive, constructive and far-sighted” relations with Bangladesh during the fortnightly media briefing.

“The next round of India-Bangladesh consular dialogue, which will also deal with matters related to the revised travel arrangement, will be held at a mutually convenient date. India remains ready to discuss all bilateral matters with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level,” Jaiswal said.

The Hindu reported on Thursday (November 12) the postponement of consular meetings scheduled for November 17 and 18.

“India desires a positive, constructive and prudent relationship with Bangladesh. Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings have been held under our structured mechanisms in areas such as trade, railways, water resources and border management, among others,” Mr Jaiswal said.

Diplomatic sources said the postponement was due to a spike in tensions over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s proposed return to Bangladesh. Ms Hasina has been in India since August 5, 2024 and said she would return to Dhaka in December.

The two sides started a consular dialogue in 2017 to strengthen people-to-people contact by having a regular communication channel on consular, visa and mutual legal assistance matters. Four rounds of consular dialogue were held during the Awami League rule in Dhaka. The MEA said the fourth round in May 2024 discussed issues such as “visa matters, repatriation, mutual legal assistance treaty cases etc.

Published – 13 Nov 2026 22:38 IST