New Delhi, Sept. 28 -- India has approved the appointment of Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam to become the country's next High Commissioner to India. The approval by the host country paves the way for a change in Dhaka's diplomatic representation in New Delhi. Siam is expected to take up the assignment after completing the required formalities.
He will replace M Riaz Hamidullah, who is set to move to Geneva as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Siam, a career diplomat who joined Bangladesh's Foreign Service in 1995, has held several important diplomatic positions during his career. He previously served as Bangladesh's ambassador to the United States, Austria and the Philippines and has also worked at the country's missions in Milan, Manchester, Jakarta and Bangkok.
He became Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary in June 2025 and has remained closely involved in the country's foreign policy and international engagements.
His appointment indicates the priority and willingness of the new government in Dhaka to reset ties and explore ways to restore bilateral relations on a progressive and concrete track. The move follows a period of tensions, difficulties and lows in the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. The two countries continue to engage on several sensitive issues, including Dhaka's request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted and took shelter in India in August 2024. The appointment of the serving Foreign Secretary as the new envoy is also significant, as both countries are working towards strengthening diplomatic engagement and discussing a possible visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh's former Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, is expected to succeed Siam as Foreign Secretary. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said India desires positive, constructive and forward-looking ties with Bangladesh, and New Delhi is ready to discuss with Dhaka all bilateral issues within the existing structured mechanisms. Earlier, the Modi government had appointed former Union Minister and seasoned senior politician Dinesh Trivedi as its new envoy in Dhaka.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.