Sports Minister Aminul Haq’s appointment signals Bangladesh’s earnest push to revive cricket relations with India, aligning with PM Tarique Rahman’s broader diplomatic reset after a year of discord. Haq wasted no time, declaring his commitment to mending BCCI ties.
Immediately after taking oath, he conferred with India’s Deputy High Commissioner. ‘We had a good discussion on the T20 World Cup,’ Haq recounted. ‘Bangladesh wants to settle disputes promptly through talks and nurture strong neighborly bonds.’
Flashback to the controversy: Anti-Hindu violence prompted BCCI’s directive for KKR to sideline Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026, which they followed. BCB retaliated by refusing India visits for the World Cup, demanding Sri Lanka venues—denied by ICC. Per government counsel, BCB opted out, replaced by Scotland.
‘Other areas suffered alongside sports due to politics,’ Haq observed. ‘Prior negotiations would have ensured our participation.’ His vision extends to multifaceted India engagement.
As stability returns under Rahman, cricket emerges as a key reconciliation arena. Haq’s diplomacy underscores sports’ unifying potential in South Asia, potentially unlocking mutual benefits if both nations engage constructively.