West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held her first formal meeting with Bangladesh’s newly appointed High Commissioner, M. Riaz Hamidullah, at the state secretariat, Nabanna, in Kolkata on 23 June. The discussion, described by officials as warm and cordial, focused on deepening cultural and economic cooperation between the neighbouring territories, which share long-standing linguistic and historical ties. Banerjee conveyed good wishes for the people of Bangladesh and reiterated the importance of joint initiatives that benefit communities on both sides of the border. Hamidullah highlighted shared interests ranging from trade in agricultural produce—such as the region’s famed mangoes and sweets—to cross-border connectivity projects and tourism promotion. The encounter follows Banerjee’s recent appeal to India’s federal government to work with Dhaka to investigate vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Shahzadpur, underscoring Kolkata’s stake in protecting common cultural heritage. Hamidullah’s visit marks the first high-level engagement between the envoy and a major Indian state since he assumed office, signalling Dhaka’s intent to strengthen sub-national diplomacy after political changes in Bangladesh last year.