The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to appoint former Union Minister and senior leader from West Bengal, Dinesh Trivedi, as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, according to government sources.
An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks, possibly ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The move is being viewed as part of New Delhi’s broader diplomatic outreach to Dhaka, while also carrying political significance domestically by elevating a leader from West Bengal to a key foreign posting.
India’s current High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, is expected to be reassigned, with reports indicating a possible posting in Brussels.
The expected diplomatic reshuffle comes against the backdrop of evolving India-Bangladesh relations. Ties between the two countries experienced strain following political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly left Dhaka amid widespread unrest and travelled to India.
Subsequent political developments, including elections in Bangladesh and internal shifts in leadership within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, added complexity to bilateral ties. Concerns were also raised over incidents involving minority communities during this period.
Although relations have shown signs of stabilisation in recent months, sensitive issues remain — particularly regarding Hasina’s continued presence in India. Diplomatic engagement has continued, including recent interactions involving Bangladesh’s foreign affairs leadership, seen as efforts to rebuild trust and maintain strategic cooperation.
Sources indicate that Trivedi’s deep political roots in West Bengal — a state with strong historical, cultural, and economic links to Bangladesh — played a key role in his selection. His familiarity with regional dynamics is expected to be an asset in managing the bilateral relationship.
A seasoned parliamentarian, Trivedi has represented West Bengal in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including as the Member of Parliament from Barrackpore. He served as Union Railway Minister and earlier as Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
His political journey reflects significant shifts, having moved from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP at a critical juncture ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.
If confirmed, his appointment would mark a rare instance of a senior politician — rather than a career diplomat — being chosen for a key High Commissioner role in a strategically important neighbouring country.
