Who is Dinesh Trivedi? Ex-Railway Minister likely to be India’s next Bangladesh envoy

The Ministry of External Affairs had not officially confirmed the appointment as of Monday morning (April 20, 2026). However, several leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party have already extended their congratulations.

Citing media reports, BJP IT cell in-charge and Bengal co-in-charge Amit Malviya wrote on X: “Congratulations to Shri Dinesh Trivedi, senior BJP leader, former Union Minister and Barrackpore MP, on being appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.”

Congratulations to Shri Dinesh Trivedi, senior BJP leader, former Union Minister and Barrackpore MP, for being appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.@DinTri https://t.co/6exTcKbXbt
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 19, 2026

Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu also congratulated Trivedi, saying he brings “valuable experience, a deep understanding of governance, and a balanced approach to policy matters.”

I extend my congratulations to Dinesh Trivedi @DinTri on his appointment as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

I have known him for many years and have seen his journey in public life closely. He brings with him valuable experience, a deep understanding of governance, and…
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) April 19, 2026

“At a time when India-Bangladesh relations are of great importance, I am confident he will contribute meaningfully to further strengthening our ties,” Prabhu added.

Trivedi is expected to replace Pranay Verma in the key diplomatic post.

A seasoned politician, Trivedi has represented West Bengal’s Barrackpore constituency and has served as Union Railway Minister as well as Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.

Once considered a close associate of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he later left the All India Trinamool Congress to join the BJP.

He holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Commerce graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. He is also a trained pilot.

During his tenure as Railway Minister under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA-II), Trivedi was removed from the post in 2012 following disagreements with Mamata Banerjee over proposed fare hikes in the Railway Budget. He was subsequently replaced by Mukul Roy.

The appointment is likely to be made at a time when India and Bangladesh's relationship is improving after the BNP took charge of the country after winning the general polls this year.

Relationship between the neighbours had touched a low point following the fall of the former PM Sheikh Hasina-led regime in the country.

Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, the day she was ousted from power amid severe protests against her government.