In a farewell note, issued on Sunday ahead of his departure, Pranay Verma described Bangladesh as one of the "most cherished" postings of his diplomatic career, underscoring the depth of ties between the two neighbours despite periods of political turbulence and shifting equations.
"We stayed in Dhaka for nearly four years -- longer than the usual three-year tenure. We saw multiple transitions during this time. Each with a new set of interlocutors," he wrote.
Without directly referring to specific political developments, Verma acknowledged that the relationship had faced difficult moments. "It could be challenging at times," he wrote, before adding that the experience ultimately proved "enriching and rewarding".
Pranay Verma
Verma, who is to take up a new assignment as India's ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, stressed that the relationship between India and Bangladesh transcends governments and political cycles.
"At one level, we are connected by shared geography, history, language, and traditions. At a deeper level, we are emotionally connected by our shared sacrifices of 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh."
He also highlighted the economic and strategic interdependence between the neighbours, arguing that prosperity on one side of the border benefits the other.
"A prosperous Bangladesh is in India's interest, as much as a prosperous India is in the interest of Bangladesh."
The diplomat called for a "new, future-oriented agenda" for bilateral engagement, reflecting the changing realities of two rapidly growing economies.
He noted that geographical proximity should be viewed "as an asset for both of us, not a liability", and urged closer cooperation on regional integration, climate change and economic connectivity.
Verma and his wife, Manu, recalled the friendships and affection they received across Bangladesh during their posting. "Many people touched our lives in remarkable ways," he wrote, adding that the bonds formed in Dhaka would "far outlast" his formal diplomatic role.
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He concluded the note with a phrase in Bangla carrying both nostalgia and optimism: 'Aabaar Dekha Hobe' (we will meet again).
His comments come as Bangladesh and India seek to navigate a more complex regional environment marked by intensifying geopolitical competition in South Asia, questions over trade imbalances, water-sharing disputes and growing strategic interest from global powers including China and the United States.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
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