Diplomatic Reset With India
Bangladesh Names New High Commissioner to India Amid Efforts to Reset Relations
Anonymous
Key Points
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Asad Alam Siam was in New York accompanying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as part of Bangladesh’s delegation when the appointment was announced.
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Siam joined Bangladesh’s Foreign Service in 1995 and has also served as Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, in addition to his ambassadorial postings.
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The diplomatic appointments are reciprocal: India appointed former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi as its high commissioner to Bangladesh, and later granted him status equivalent to a Union Cabinet minister in the Table of Precedence for ceremonial functions.
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Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said Dhaka wanted a “reset” in relations and sought to build a new bilateral relationship based on mutual interests.
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The final phase of talks on renewing the Ganga Water Agreement has yet to be held, while India’s restrictive trade practices were imposed in May 2025 and remain among the issues requiring resolution.
India has approved Asad Alam Siam as Bangladesh's next high commissioner to New Delhi, the ETVBharat reported on September 22, 2026. Siam, a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to the United States, Austria, and the Philippines, will replace M. Riaz Hamidullah and takes the post as India and Bangladesh work to mend ties fractured since Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.
The appointment signals both nations' intent to reset relations. Times of India confirmed that Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs said Dhaka seeks a "reset" based on mutual interests, while Kashmir Reader noted India is pursuing "positive, constructive, and forward-looking ties" to resolve disputes over trade restrictions, visa access, and minority protections.
Siam Brings Three Ambassadorships to the Role
Asad Alam Siam joined Bangladesh's Foreign Service in 1995 and has built a track record in major postings. Times of India reported he served as ambassador to the United States, Austria, and the Philippines. He also held positions as Bangladesh's permanent representative to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, giving him deep experience in multilateral diplomacy and economic affairs.
Diplomatic Shuffle Reaches India and the UN
The appointment cascades through Bangladesh's diplomatic structure. M. Riaz Hamidullah, the outgoing high commissioner, is moving to become Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, formerly Bangladesh's UN envoy in New York and ambassador to Nepal, will step into Siam's role as foreign secretary.
India reciprocated with its own move. Former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi was appointed India's high commissioner to Bangladesh and granted ceremonial status equivalent to a Union Cabinet minister, signaling India's commitment to elevating the diplomatic relationship.
Water Agreements and Trade Restrictions Cloud Progress
Despite goodwill gestures, major obstacles remain. Rediff noted that the Ganga Water Agreement expires at year-end, and final negotiation phases have yet to begin. Asian News Network reported India imposed restrictive trade practices on Bangladesh in May 2025, and these measures persist among unresolved bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is reportedly considering a November visit to India. When Siam was announced in New York, he was accompanying Rahman as part of Bangladesh's delegation to the United Nations, underscoring the timing of this diplomatic reset amid broader negotiations.
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