Bangladesh envoy recalls India journey, says deeper engagement with society key to understanding ties
High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah recalls his journey from Aligarh student to diplomat, emphasizing the power of people-to-people ties.
As his tenure as the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India nears its conclusion, Riaz Hamidullah has shared a heartfelt reflection on his three-and-a-half-decade association with the country. From his early days as a student to his diplomatic career, Hamidullah emphasized that true understanding between nations lies in engaging with society rather than just state-to-state relations.
From Aligarh student to diplomat
Hamidullah’s connection with India began over 35 years ago. He recalled his first arrival in the country in September 1990, when he arrived as a young student to study at Aligarh Muslim University. Staying in a hostel at the university provided him with a foundational opportunity to understand the Indian landscape and interact with people from various states.
This early exposure allowed him to appreciate India’s immense social and cultural diversity, including its varied regional identities and culinary traditions. His professional ties to New Delhi were further strengthened during a posting between 2003 and 2005.
The importance of people-to-people ties
Throughout his diplomatic career, Hamidullah has maintained that understanding a country requires looking beyond official government channels. He noted that while state-to-state relations are essential, one cannot ignore the importance of the society itself.
"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," Hamidullah stated. He shared that his approach involved traveling across different parts of India to engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, even when the topics were not directly related to Bangladesh. He believed that such interactions were vital to representing the Bangladeshi viewpoint and understanding the Indian perspective.
He also highlighted the necessity of dialogue, even when viewpoints are divergent or difficult. "As much as someone can speak out, I can also engage in conversation. So, getting engaged in conversation in the long haul is very important," he added.
A memorable encounter in Srinagar
Recalling a recent visit to the Kashmir Valley approximately three weeks ago, Hamidullah spoke about a visit to Delhi Public School Srinagar. He was particularly struck by the demographic of the school, noting that out of approximately 5,000 students, nearly 40 percent were girls.
During the visit, he had a profound interaction with a Class 12 student named Fatima, who introduced herself as a radio jockey. While touring the school’s digital radio studio, she posed a question that caught him off guard: "How do you look at borders?"
Hamidullah responded to the young girl with absolute candor. As he prepared to leave, he was moved by the students singing one of his favorite compositions by the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal.
Transcending divisive lines
Reflecting on these experiences, the High Commissioner noted that people-to-people interactions often transcend the political and geographical boundaries that typically dominate discourse. He observed that while people often focus on the lines that divide nations, the larger population often moves forward without being mindful of those differences.
As he prepares to conclude his term, Hamidullah leaves behind a legacy of seeking engagement not just with official counterparts, but with the communities and people that define the essence of the region.