Asad Alam Siam to take over as Bangladesh High Commissioner to New Delhi

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is set to become the country's new High Commissioner in New Delhi. Official paperwork between the two governments is currently underway for his appointment, following an agreement cleared on Tuesday morning after a process lasting just over two months. Siam previously served as Dhaka's envoy in Washington and joined the diplomatic service. His prior postings include Bangladeshi missions in Bangkok, Jakarta, Manchester, and Milan, alongside serving as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Vienna and to the OPEC Fund. He took charge as Foreign Secretary in June last year during the interim administration led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus. He replaces the current High Commissioner, Riaz Hamidullah, who transitions to Geneva at the end of this month as Bangladesh's permanent representative to the UN Office. Hamidullah assumed the New Delhi post in February last year and navigated a difficult period in bilateral relations following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina has resided in Delhi since August 2024 after leaving office amid widespread protests. Siam's appointment highlights the priority Dhaka places on repairing ties with New Delhi, particularly concerning demands for Hasina's extradition. Both nations are also arranging a visit to India by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, marking his first trip since taking office in February this year. India previously named former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi as its High Commissioner to Bangladesh in April. These diplomatic steps form part of broader efforts by both governments to mend relations following the formation of the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party government led by Prime Minister Rahman after the February elections.