Major Move By Modi Government: Appoints Former TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi As High Commissioner To Bangladesh

New Delhi: Taking a significant step, the Modi government has decided to appoint Dinesh Trivedi—a former MP from Barrackpore, West Bengal, and a former Union Minister—as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Prior to joining the BJP, Dinesh Trivedi served as an MP for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and became the Minister of Railways in the UPA government through the TMC quota. However, he subsequently joined the BJP. Trivedi will replace diplomat Pranay Verma, who is now set to move to Brussels to assume the position of India's Ambassador to the European Union.

What is the status of ties between India and Bangladesh? 

Relations with India have improved since the change of government in Bangladesh and the assumption of the Prime Ministership by Tariq Rahman. Following Sheikh Hasina's departure from power, a government led by Muhammad Yunus was formed in the neighboring country, during which Hindus faced significant atrocities. Several Hindus lost their lives in violent incidents, leading to strained relations between India and Bangladesh. Following the recently held general elections, Tariq Rahman became Prime Minister, and relations subsequently began to improve once again.

During the UPA's tenure, in addition to serving as the Minister of Railways, Dinesh Trivedi also held the post of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. He resigned from the TMC on February 12, 2021, and joined the BJP on March 6, 2021. Assembly elections were held in West Bengal that same year, and several TMC leaders had switched allegiance to the BJP. However, the party managed to win only 77 seats, and Mamata Banerjee became Chief Minister once again.

Did Modi Government Send a Clear Signal?

Dinesh Trivedi's appointment serves as a clear signal from the Modi government that it harbors no hesitation in dispatching political leaders to serve as India's envoys in key nations, and that these highly coveted postings are not the exclusive domain of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers. While former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag served as India's High Commissioner to the Seychelles from 2019 to 2022, Trivedi's posting in Dhaka further indicates that India intends to deploy prominent figures as envoys to its neighboring countries.

Who is Dinesh Trivedi?

Born on June 4, 1950, Dinesh Trivedi served as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal from 2009 to 2019. Additionally, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP during two separate terms: 1990–96 and 2002–08. He was compelled to resign from his post in 2012 following a decision to hike railway fares. In the 2012 Railway Budget, Dinesh Trivedi proposed an increase in passenger fares. This hike—the first in several years—was intended to help improve the Railways' precarious financial health. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee opposed this fare hike; the party believed that it would impose an undue burden on the common people. The party publicly opposed Trivedi's decision and demanded his resignation. Subsequently, Mukul Roy was appointed as the Railway Minister.