Dhaka. After a long period of killings and legal disorders, a new government has been formed in Bangladesh. Tariq Rehman has taken oath as Prime Minister and the cabinet has also taken the seat. His cabinet includes more than one stalwart. Apart from this, there is also a person in Tariq’s cabinet who has been a former student of JNU. PM Rehman has given this person the job of Foreign Ministry. That means this minister will deal with all the issues related to India.
Actually, this person is Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who held the post of Foreign Minister in the new Rahman government of Bangladesh. Whose personality is seen as a very deep and diplomatically resolved leader. There is such an experienced diplomat who has long standing relations with India. In Tariq Rahman’s cabinet, Khalilur can play the role of an important bridge between India and Bangladesh.
In the interim government of Mohammad Yunus formed after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government, he was made the High Representative and Chief Advisor on the Rohingya crisis and other issues. He also remained active as National Security Advisor (NSA). During this, he met his Indian counterpart i.e. NSA Ajit Doval and talked about cooperation on the security and intelligence front.
Let us tell you that the roots of Rahman’s relations with India go back to his student days. He has obtained a PhD degree in ‘Public Health’ from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. Being educated from JNU gives him a deep understanding of the Indian administrative and intellectual system.
When the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada escalated over the Nijjar case, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada, criticized the Canadian Police. He had said that Canada was becoming a safe haven for criminals and fugitives, which was in support of India’s stand.
He is considered a face of balance and positive attitude towards India in Bangladeshi diplomacy. He has been a career diplomat and has also served in the Bangladesh High Commission in India.
Khalilur Rahman is a 1985 batch Foreign Service Officer. He has served as High Commissioner to the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Canada. Along with being a medical doctor (MBBS), he also has degrees in economics and diplomacy.
By making him the Foreign Minister, Bangladesh’s new PM Rahman has indicated that the BNP government wants dialogue and cooperation with India rather than confrontation. Khalilur Rehman’s strategy and old acquaintanceship can prove helpful in resolving pending issues with India like Teesta water agreement and border security.
