Bangladesh envoy recalls India journey, says deeper engagement with society key to understanding ties
As his tenure ends, Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah shares personal reflections on India's society and people-to-people connections.
As his term as the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India comes to an end, Riaz Hamidullah has shared a poignant reflection on his 35-year connection with the country. Moving beyond formal diplomacy, the envoy emphasized that true understanding between nations lies in engaging with the heartbeat of a country—its society.
From Aligarh student to Diplomat
Hamidullah’s journey with India began much earlier than his official diplomatic posting. He recalled his first arrival in September 1990, when he came to India as a young student. Staying in a hostel at Aligarh Muslim University, he found himself immersed in a melting pot of cultures.
“That afforded me a great opportunity to understand India and to mingle with people from different states,” Hamidullah remarked. This early exposure allowed him to appreciate the vast social and cultural tapestry of India, from its diverse regional identities to its varied culinary traditions.
Even during his previous professional stint in New Delhi between 2003 and 2005, his mission remained consistent: looking past state-to-state politics to connect with the people.
The importance of people-to-people ties
The envoy argued that while official relations are vital, they do not tell the whole story. He believed that to truly grasp a nation, one must engage with its citizens without inhibition.
“State-to-state relations are one thing, but if you want to go to the deeper part of India, I think we must not miss society. That is what actually drew me to engage without any inhibition with people,” he said.
Hamidullah noted that he often sought conversations with Indians that had nothing to do with Bangladesh. He believed these interactions were essential for both explaining the Bangladeshi perspective and understanding the Indian viewpoint. He also stressed the value of dialogue, even when opinions were divergent or difficult, noting that long-term engagement is the only way to build meaningful connections.
A profound encounter in Srinagar
Recalling one of his most recent and impactful experiences, Hamidullah spoke about a visit to the Kashmir Valley just three weeks ago. During a trip to Delhi Public School Srinagar, he was struck by the vibrant energy of the students, noting that nearly 40 per cent of the 5,000 students were girls.
He shared a specific memory of interacting with a Class 12 student named Fatima, who acted as a radio jockey at the school's digital studio. The conversation took an unexpected and deep turn when the young girl asked him a question that caught him off guard:
“How do you look at borders?”
Hamidullah admitted he responded with "absolute candour." As he departed the school, he was moved by the sound of children singing one of his favorite compositions by the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal.
Transcending divisive lines
Reflecting on the encounter in Srinagar, the High Commissioner highlighted how human connection often bypasses the political and geographical barriers that define international relations. He observed that while political discourse often focuses on the lines that divide nations, the actual movement and spirit of the people often ignore these boundaries.
“What really struck me is that we always look at the lines that divide us, but we should also see how uniquely the larger part of the population keeps moving, without being mindful of the divisive lines or differences,” he concluded.