Bangladesh’s newly appointed Sports Minister, Aminul Haque, is looking to restore sporting relations with India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the aftermath of Bangladesh's controversial absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Following his recent swearing-in, the former national footballer expressed a commitment to resolving the issues through open dialogue and strengthening the bilateral ties between the two neighboring nations.

In a statement made shortly after taking office, Aminul revealed that he had engaging discussions with India’s Deputy High Commissioner at the Parliament building. The conversation focused on finding constructive resolutions to the disputes that have hindered Bangladesh's participation in international cricket events. He emphasized the importance of maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries and expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to resolve the issues swiftly through mutual discussions.

Aminul acknowledged the role of diplomatic complications in Bangladesh missing the opportunity to compete in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He noted that their request for all matches to be played outside India could not be accommodated by the International Cricket Council, resulting in Scotland taking their place in the tournament. Adding to the complexities, the withdrawal of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to concerns raised by Indian authorities exacerbated the situation.

However, in a positive turn, the ICC recently confirmed that Bangladesh would not face any sanctions for their decision to decline playing in India. Furthermore, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been granted hosting rights for an upcoming ICC event leading up to the 2031 Men’s ODI World Cup, which Bangladesh is set to co-host alongside India.

Aminul Haque’s remarks signal a potential thaw in cricketing relations between the two nations. With both boards aiming to collaborate on future international events, renewed dialogue may rebuild trust and ensure smoother sporting cooperation in the future.