New Delhi: Bangladesh is likely to appoint the country’s foreign secretary, Asad Alam Siam, as its next high commissioner to India as part of a diplomatic reshuffle by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government. He is expected to replace M Riaz Hamidullah, who is likely to be appointed Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
The expected appointment comes at a significant time in India-Bangladesh relations, with both countries maintaining engagement on trade, connectivity, border management, energy cooperation and regional security. The change also follows New Delhi’s appointment of former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi as India’s high commissioner to Bangladesh earlier this year, making it one of the first major envoy changes on both sides in recent months.
Siam, a career diplomat, took over as Bangladesh’s foreign secretary on June 20, 2025, after serving as ambassador to the United States. His experience in handling key diplomatic assignments is expected to be central to managing Bangladesh’s ties with India. According to Prothom Alo, the proposed posting is part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle, with current Bangladesh permanent representative to the United Nations in New York Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury expected to succeed Siam as foreign secretary, while Hamidullah is likely to be moved to Geneva as Bangladesh’s permanent representative.
The report said the reshuffle will also include appointments to Bangladesh’s missions in New York, London and Geneva. Irene Khan is expected to be named Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, while Mohammed Abdul Muhith is likely to become the country’s next high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The appointments are expected to be announced together as the BNP government completes its first major overhaul of the ministry of foreign affairs since taking office in February.