India on Thursday, 7 May 2025, publicly pressed Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification for illegal Bangladeshi nationals staying in India, warning that smooth repatriation cannot proceed without Dhaka's active cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed that over 2,860 cases of nationality verification remain pending with Bangladesh — several of them for more than five years.

What India Said

Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called on Bangladeshi authorities to act without further delay. "Over 2,860 cases of nationality verification are pending with Bangladesh, several of it for over five years," Jaiswal said. "Our policy is that all illegal foreign nationals staying in India must be repatriated as per our laws, procedure and established bilateral mechanisms and arrangements. We expect Bangladesh will expedite nationality verification so that repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place in a smooth manner."

Jaiswal was responding to a question about remarks made by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) win in the West Bengal elections. He said, "We have seen comments of this nature being made in the last several days. These comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India. This obviously requires cooperation from Bangladesh."

The Teesta River Question

When asked about Foreign Minister Rahman's ongoing talks with Chinese officials regarding the Teesta River, Jaiswal sought to downplay concerns, noting that India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers and have structured bilateral mechanisms to address all water-related issues. "At these bilateral mechanisms, they continue to meet at regular intervals," he said. Rahman is on a three-day visit to China from 5 to 7 May, at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's Foreign Minister. The Teesta angle adds a geopolitical dimension to an already complex bilateral relationship.

Diplomatic Reset in Motion

The sharp remarks come even as both countries are actively working to reset ties that had frayed significantly during the 18-month tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, a period marked by escalating attacks on Hindu minorities and a surge in anti-India rhetoric. Last month, India announced the appointment of former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi as India's next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Trivedi has previously served as Railway Minister (2011) and as Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.

On 8 April, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and his delegation in New Delhi. "We discussed strengthening our bilateral relationship in its various facets. Also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Agreed to remain in close touch," Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting.

Significance of Recent Diplomatic Signals

Rahman's April visit to India was notably the first by a Bangladeshi minister since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government assumed office in February, signalling a tentative thaw. In February, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had travelled to Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the BNP government and met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rehman, extending wishes on his assuming office. Thursday's pointed remarks on the 2,860 pending verification cases suggest New Delhi is using diplomatic momentum to push for concrete action on the repatriation front — even as the broader relationship inches toward normalisation.