New Delhi/Dhaka, April 7 (NationPress) Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, is set to arrive in New Delhi today for an official three-day visit aimed at strengthening the ties between India and Bangladesh.

During his stay, Rahman will engage in comprehensive talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

He is also anticipated to meet with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri as part of his high-level engagements in the capital.

This visit is particularly significant as it marks the first trip by a Bangladeshi minister to India since the BNP-led government took office in February, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of India-Bangladesh relations, which had been tense during the previous eighteen months under the Yunus-led interim government amid rising attacks on Hindu minorities and anti-India sentiments.

Key topics expected to be discussed include the revival of visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, increasing energy collaboration, improving border management, addressing unresolved issues concerning river water-sharing, and enhancing trade facilitation measures.

Rahman will be joined by Humayun Kabir, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, underscoring the significance Dhaka attributes to this visit.

As per reports from Bangladeshi media, Dhaka aims to advocate for a more favorable and proactive stance from India regarding the full restoration of visa services. The Bangladeshi delegation is also likely to emphasize the economic and social advantages associated with medical tourism, which has suffered due to current limitations.

Visas for Bangladeshi tourists have been on hold since July 2024 due to security issues. Furthermore, visa processing centers in Bangladesh have been functioning with reduced staffing following incidents of violence and vandalism reported near Indian facilities, as stated by leading Bangladeshi daily The Dhaka Tribune.

In another development on Monday, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral collaboration across critical sectors.

During their discussion, Verma reiterated India's commitment to strengthening relations through a "positive, constructive, and forward-looking" approach based on shared interests and mutual benefits.

Additionally, diplomatic communications have expanded to include defense cooperation. Last week, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India M. Riaz Hamidullah met with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi to explore ways to bolster defense collaboration, including joint training initiatives.

They discussed opportunities for deeper cooperation to foster regional peace and security.