In major diplomatic reshuffle, Bangladesh likely to appoint current foreign secretary as envoy to India

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government is set to carry out a major reshuffle in its diplomatic establishment, with current Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam likely to be appointed as the country's next High Commissioner to India.

The proposed appointment is part of a wider overhaul of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nearly five months after the BNP government took office.

Along with appointing a new foreign secretary, Dhaka is also expected to name new Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, besides appointing a new High Commissioner to London.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, foreign secretary Asad Alam Siam will be posted to New Delhi, while Bangladesh's current High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, is likely to be moved to Geneva as the country's Permanent Representative.

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The reshuffle is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Major changes in Bangladesh's diplomatic corps

Asad Alam Siam was appointed Bangladesh's foreign secretary on June 20, 2025, during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. A career diplomat, he previously served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to the United States and succeeded Md Jasim Uddin as the country's top diplomat.

The report also said Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh's current Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, is expected to replace Asad Alam Siam as the next foreign secretary.

Since assuming office in February, the BNP government has initiated changes across the foreign ministry. Soon after taking power, it recalled four ambassadors who had been appointed during the interim government. Over the past two months, it has also appointed three career diplomats as ambassadors to different countries.

India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties

The expected appointment of Asad Alam Siam to New Delhi comes shortly after India made a high-profile diplomatic appointment in Dhaka.

Earlier this year, New Delhi appointed former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh. In another significant move, the Indian government granted the Dhaka High Commissioner's post the ceremonial status equivalent to that of a Union Cabinet minister in the Table of Precedence.

The decision, issued through an Office Memorandum by the Ministry of Home Affairs, is ceremonial in nature but is widely seen as carrying diplomatic significance. It underlines the importance India attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh and the strategic role of the Dhaka mission.

The expected diplomatic changes on both sides are being viewed as an effort to inject fresh momentum into India-Bangladesh relations at a time when both countries are seeking closer engagement on bilateral, regional and economic issues.