Bangladesh clears Asad Alam Siam as next High Commissioner to India

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, Asad Alam Siam, is set to become the country's next High Commissioner to India, after Dhaka received the Indian diplomatic clearance known as agrément on Tuesday. The document clears the way for Mr. Siam to assume charge of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi in the coming weeks.

The move comes amid negotiations between the two capitals over a possible visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in November. Mr. Rahman had earlier been invited to Delhi for the BRICS summit, but that trip did not materialise following sharp exchanges that followed a virtual press interaction by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

Mr. Siam will replace Riaz Hamidullah, who was posted to New Delhi in 2025 under the interim administration led by Prof. Mohammed Yunus. That fifteen-month period proved difficult for the bilateral relationship, which remained in a cold frame over several issues, including the presence of Ms. Hasina on Indian soil.

The months ahead are seen as significant for the ties. The three-decade-old Ganga Water Agreement is expected to expire at the end of the year, and the two sides held a round of discussions earlier this year on renewing it, although the final phase of meetings is still to take place.

Relations between the neighbours deteriorated after August 5, 2024, and officials on both sides acknowledge that restoring them will require several steps. These include the normalisation of visa facilities and the removal of restrictive trade practices that India introduced in May 2025.