New Delhi/Dhaka: Bangladesh has appointed two senior journalists to key media positions at its diplomatic missions in India, a move that has attracted attention amid efforts to rebuild bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.

Senior journalist Md. Saidur Rahman, Political and Election Editor of The Daily Ittefaq, has been appointed Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on a one-year contractual basis.

Reports also indicate that Umme Marufa, associated with News24, has been selected for a press-related role at Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, although official details regarding her appointment have been less widely publicised.

Scrutiny Over Past Social Media Activity

The appointments have generated discussion after reports claimed that both appointees had previously shared social media posts critical of India and that some of those posts were later deleted following the announcement of their appointments. These claims have been reported in sections of the media, but they have not been independently verified, and neither the Bangladesh government nor the individuals concerned have publicly commented on them.

Unusual Diplomatic Appointment

Observers note that diplomatic press positions are often held by career foreign service officers or information officials. The appointment of serving journalists to these communication roles has therefore attracted attention in both diplomatic and media circles.

Officials in Dhaka have described Saidur Rahman’s appointment as being made in the public interest on a contractual basis.

India Yet to Respond

The Government of India has not issued any official statement regarding the appointments.

Analysts say the appointments come at a sensitive time as India and Bangladesh seek to stabilise bilateral engagement, with communication between the two sides expected to remain under close observation in the coming months.

The new appointees are expected to handle media engagement and public communication for Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Kolkata, respectively.