Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah made his maiden visit to Northeast India, meeting Tripura CM Manik Saha, reviewing border infrastructure, and discussing key bilateral issues including trade and connectivity. He will inspect the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Maitri Setu, and foster closer ties between Tripura and Eastern Bangladesh.
Riaz Hamidullah, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, is on a four-day official visit to the northeastern state of Tripura, marking his maiden visit to the region. His visit reflects the growing importance of India’s Northeast in bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations. During the trip, Hamidullah is holding key diplomatic engagements and inspecting crucial infrastructural projects to enhance connectivity and trade between India and Bangladesh.
On Friday, High Commissioner Hamidullah paid a courtesy call to Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at his official residence. Sharing the development on social media, the Chief Minister’s Office posted on X (formerly Twitter): “H.E. Mr. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha today at CM’s Official Residence.”
The meeting underscored the enduring cultural and economic linkages between Tripura and Bangladesh. Sources indicated that the discussions focused on strengthening trade, improving border infrastructure, and speeding up cross-border connectivity initiatives.
Following his interaction with the Chief Minister, the High Commissioner visited the Integrated Check Post (ICP) located near the India-Bangladesh border. He also held a two-hour long meeting with senior officials of the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), where he reportedly deliberated on easing logistical hurdles and facilitating smoother cross-border trade.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Hamidullah emphasized the natural and organic nature of the relationship between Tripura and eastern Bangladesh. “The bond shared by Tripura and Bangladesh is like the flow of rivers – organic, continuous, and people-centered,” he remarked. He described the bilateral engagement as largely economic, pointing out that trade remains a major interface between the two countries.
He termed his interactions with the LPAI officials as “result-oriented” and stressed the need to address practical challenges in order to boost bilateral trade. “It’s about identifying the barriers and resolving them effectively,” the envoy said.
In the coming days, the High Commissioner is scheduled to inspect the progress of the much-anticipated Agartala-Akhaura rail link project. This project, once completed, is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh, opening up new corridors for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Hamidullah will visit the Nischintapur railway station on the Indian side to assess the current status of the infrastructure.
On Sunday, the envoy will travel to Sabroom in South Tripura to visit the “Maitri Setu,” a symbolic structure of Indo-Bangla friendship that was inaugurated in March 2021 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. Although completed, Maitri Setu is yet to be operationalized due to administrative changes and political transitions in Bangladesh. Hamidullah’s visit to the site is seen as a sign of renewed diplomatic efforts to make the bridge functional and unlock its potential in boosting regional trade and transit.
Additionally, the High Commissioner is expected to meet Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu during his stay, further strengthening diplomatic ties between the northeastern state and Bangladesh.
Prior to arriving in Tripura, Riaz Hamidullah visited the neighbouring northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, where he also engaged with local leadership and stakeholders. A seasoned diplomat from the 1995 batch of the Bangladesh Foreign Service, Hamidullah assumed his current role as High Commissioner to India in April 2025. His visit to the region highlights Bangladesh’s strategic interest in deepening its engagement with India’s Northeast, which shares deep cultural, linguistic, and historical ties with Bangladesh.
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As India and Bangladesh work towards enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration, such visits by top diplomats are seen as crucial stepping stones in translating policy into action on the ground. Hamidullah’s engagements in Tripura are expected to pave the way for renewed cooperation and stronger bonds in areas ranging from infrastructure to people-to-people connectivity.
