Bangladesh-India consular dialogue scheduled for Dhaka postponed

The fifth round of consular dialogue between Bangladesh and India has been postponed. The talks, at director general level of the two countries' foreign ministries, were scheduled to be held in Dhaka on November 17-18.

Diplomatic sources say a decision has been taken to postpone the dialogue. According to the sources, fresh strain has arisen between the two sides over the passport and national identity card applications of deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in India, and the meeting was postponed in that context.

According to the sources, it had been decided that the fifth round of the consular dialogue between the two countries would be hosted in Dhaka. Border management, visa operations, repatriation of nationals detained in each other's countries, the release and repatriation of fishermen, and mutual legal assistance were among the bilateral issues scheduled for discussion.

The consular dialogue process between Bangladesh and India began in 2017. Four rounds of talks have been held between the two countries so far.

The most recent, fourth round was held in New Delhi in May 2024. The fifth round was due to sit in Dhaka, but it has now been postponed.