The BRICS TimesThe thinking was that there was a need for a political appointee to take forward ties when the Indian side was seen as too closely aligned with the Awami League govt
A New Chapter in Diplomacy
The role of India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh has traditionally been held by seasoned foreign service veterans. Names like Subimal Dutt, Muchkund Dubey, and Krishnan Srinivasan once graced this office. However, reports suggest that BJP leader and former lawmaker Dinesh Trivedi is now set to take the mantle.
Breaking a Long-Standing Tradition
Dinesh Trivedi has a diverse political history, having served in both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). If appointed, he will be the first political figure in many decades to lead the mission in Dhaka. While the first two envoys after 1971, Subimal Dutt and Samar Sen, were technically political appointees, they were originally from the Indian Civil Service (ICS).
Dhaka: A Stepping Stone for Career Diplomats
For Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers, a posting in Dhaka often leads to top leadership roles. Many former high commissioners eventually became Foreign Secretary. A recent example is Harsh Vardhan Shringla. He served as the envoy in Bangladesh from 2016 to 2019 before becoming India’s Foreign Secretary.
Political Envoys in the Neighborhood
This move marks a rare shift for India’s immediate neighborhood in the last thirty years. However, countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka have seen politicians and former bureaucrats in these roles before. Between 1947 and 1969, several politicians and ICS officers served as India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
Historical Precedents of Political Appointments
In Nepal, Lt Gen SK Sinha was appointed as the ambassador in 1990. As a former vice chief of the army, he helped repair ties after trade disputes. Historically, such postings were sometimes given to political leaders after election losses or to senior officers after long careers.
The Strategic Shift After Bangladesh Elections
The Indian government initially considered a senior diplomat for the Dhaka post in late 2025. However, they reconsidered after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party won the February general elections. Sources suggest New Delhi felt some diplomats misjudged the local situation. There was a sense that India appeared too close to the previous Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina.
The Selection of Dinesh Trivedi
Last week, the government started the formal process to seek a diplomatic agreement for Trivedi’s posting. His roots in West Bengal, which shares a border with Bangladesh, likely played a role in his selection. His appointment is seen as a way to reset and move bilateral ties forward.
Current Political Appointees in Foreign Missions
Currently, India has only two political appointees serving as ambassadors. Former foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra is the envoy to the US. Additionally, former IAS officer Arun Goel serves as the ambassador to Croatia. In the past, the BJP has also sent former CBI chief RK Raghavan to Cyprus and former army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag to Seychelles.
