Dhaka, September 7, 2026: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo held a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam was also present.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on biodiversity conservation in the Sundarbans in Bangladesh under the existing memorandum of understanding between the two countries. They also agreed to hold the next bilateral meeting in Bangladesh under the protocol signed for Royal Bengal Tiger conservation.
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The two sides decided that the next meeting on transboundary conservation of the Asian elephant would be held in India. They also exchanged views on environmental protection, climate change, transboundary environmental challenges, carbon credits, emissions reduction and the development of a green economy.
Minister Mintoo said Bangladesh and India, as close neighbours, have closely interconnected environmental and ecological interests. Challenges such as climate change, floods, droughts, river and water resource management, air pollution and biodiversity loss are not confined to the boundaries of any single country, he said.
He stressed the need to further strengthen mutual trust, information and experience sharing, and effective regional cooperation to address these challenges.
The minister said Bangladesh is keen to advance positive and constructive relations with India based on mutual respect and shared interests. He expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries in environmental protection and climate action would deepen further in the coming days for the welfare of their peoples and a sustainable future.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between environmental protection and economic development to ensure sustainable development. In this regard, he said, the exchange of technology, knowledge and successful experiences among South Asian countries could play an important role.
State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam highlighted the importance of joint initiatives to conserve the Sundarbans and other ecologically significant areas and biodiversity shared by Bangladesh and India. He said the Sundarbans is a shared natural resource of the two countries and serves as an important protective barrier against climate change and natural disasters.
He added that research, technology and management experience could be exchanged more extensively to protect the Sundarbans ecosystem and wildlife.
The meeting also discussed transboundary air and river pollution. Both sides stressed the need for scientific data sharing, regular communication among relevant agencies and effective coordination to address such environmental challenges.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said there is scope to further expand areas of cooperation between the neighbouring countries by prioritizing mutual interests and the welfare of their peoples. He noted that Bangladesh and India have significant potential to work together on environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development.
The High Commissioner also expressed his commitment to further strengthening the friendly ties between the peoples of Bangladesh and India and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanam was also present at the meeting.
