India, April 7 -- India's engagement with Bangladesh appears to be entering a new phase following the political transition in Dhaka. In February, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's presence at the swearing-in ceremony of the BNP-led Government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman underscored New Delhi's calibrated move away from the "interim phase" of bilateral relations toward a more structured and forward-looking engagement.

Against this backdrop, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman's visit to New Delhi from April 7 to 9 assumes considerable diplomatic importance. The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for a more durable and pragmatic political relationship between the two neighbours, at a time when both sides are reassessing pri...