India and Bangladesh discussed strengthening civil aviation cooperation, improving air connectivity, expanding air cargo capacity, promoting tourism, and enhancing bilateral working mechanisms during a meeting in Dhaka on September 16, 2026.
India and Bangladesh have discussed measures to strengthen cooperation in the civil aviation sector, improve air connectivity between the two neighbouring countries, enhance air cargo capacity and promote tourism.
The discussions were held during a meeting between India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, and Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, in Dhaka on September 16, 2026.
According to the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, the meeting covered a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation in civil aviation. The discussions also focused on improving air connectivity, increasing air cargo capacity, strengthening bilateral working mechanisms and promoting tourism between the two countries.
“High Commissioner of India Shri Dinesh Trivedi met the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr. M Rashiduzzaman Millat on 16 Sep 2026. They held discussions on wide-ranging topics including enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of civil aviation, improving air connectivity, enhancing air cargo capacity, improving bilateral working mechanisms and promoting tourism,” the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh stated in a post on X.
The latest meeting forms part of a series of engagements held by the Indian High Commissioner with senior officials of the Bangladesh government in September. The discussions have covered several areas of bilateral relations, including civil aviation, tourism, water resources and defence.
On September 13, Trivedi met Zahed Ur Rahman, Advisor for Policy and Strategy to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister. The two sides discussed a wide range of subjects concerning India-Bangladesh relations and people-to-people ties.
The Indian High Commission said both sides expressed optimism that the two countries would continue working together to strengthen people-to-people relations.
“The meeting included discussions on a wide range of topics in India-Bangladesh relations. Both dignitaries expressed optimism that the two vibrant democracies will continue to work together to enhance people-to-people relations,” the High Commission posted on X.
On the same day, Trivedi also held discussions with Bangladesh’s Minister of Water Resources, Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee. Minister of State Mr. Forhad Hossain Azad was also present at the meeting.
The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh to advance the shared aspirations of the people of both neighbouring countries.
“High Commissioner Shri Dinesh Trivedi held a meeting with the Minister of Water Resources of Bangladesh, Mr. Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, on 13 September 2026. Minister of State Mr. Forhad Hossain Azad was also present. The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral engagement for achieving the shared aspirations of the peoples of the two neighbouring countries,” the High Commission stated.
The diplomatic engagements also extended to defence-related cooperation. On September 9, Trivedi met A K M Shamsul Islam, Advisor to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Division.
The meeting included discussions on strengthening defence-related engagements between India and Bangladesh. According to the Indian High Commission, the talks underlined the existing bond between the armed forces of the two countries and explored mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
“The discussions underlined the strong bond existing between the Armed Forces of the two countries. The meeting included deliberations on wide-ranging topics to enhance defence-related engagements. Both the dignitaries expressed their commitment to further enhance the relationship and to work together on various mutually beneficial areas of interests,” the High Commission posted on X.
The September 16 civil aviation meeting adds another important sector to the recent series of bilateral discussions. Air connectivity between India and Bangladesh is significant for business, tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges, while stronger air cargo capacity could support movement of goods between the two markets.
The focus on tourism during the meeting also indicates the broader economic and people-to-people dimensions of civil aviation cooperation. Improved connectivity can facilitate travel between the neighbouring countries while supporting commercial and tourism-related interactions.
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The discussions on bilateral working mechanisms further indicate an effort to strengthen institutional coordination between the two sides. The latest engagement comes amid continued diplomatic-level discussions covering multiple areas of mutual interest between India and Bangladesh.
With civil aviation, air connectivity, cargo movement and tourism forming key parts of the September 16 talks, both sides discussed areas aimed at expanding cooperation and improving connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
