Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday, December 9, aboard a special flight of the Indian Air Force. This marks the first high-level visit by a Delhi policymaker to Dhaka since the political shift on August 5, signaling efforts to ease recent tensions between the two neighbors.

The visit began with a scheduled meeting at 11 a.m. at the state guest house Padma, where Misri engaged in discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin. The dialogue was expected to focus on several critical issues, including the repatriation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in Delhi, and the cessation of her political activities. Other agenda items included the longstanding Teesta water-sharing agreement, efforts to curb border killings, and the normalization of visa procedures for Bangladeshis traveling to India.

Following the bilateral talks, Vikram Misri was scheduled to pay courtesy visits to the Chief Advisor and the Foreign Affairs Advisor of the interim government. These meetings are considered pivotal in addressing the recent strains in Dhaka-Delhi relations. The visit, however, was brief, with Misri set to depart Dhaka later the same day.

This trip represents the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ first outreach to Dhaka since the significant developments in August, and both sides express cautious optimism about its potential to create a more conducive environment for bilateral relations. Observers are keen to see whether this engagement will lead to tangible progress in resolving long-standing disputes and fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.