India and Bangladesh discuss resumption of cross border passenger trains

Authorities from India and Bangladesh have commenced a crucial two-day Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting in Dhaka starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The bilateral talks focus on the much-awaited resumption of cross-border passenger train services that have remained suspended for over two years. Here are the key highlights of the ongoing diplomatic railway discussions between the two neighbouring nations. The discussions center on restarting the Maitree Express, Bandhan Express, and Mitali Express, which were initially suspended in July 2024 due to widespread civil unrest in Bangladesh. Specifically, the Maitree Express was halted on July 16, 2024, followed by the complete suspension of all three services on July 19, 2024. Mohammad Nazmul Islam, Additional Director General of Operations for Bangladesh Railway, stated that final decisions regarding the exact restoration of these popular services will be finalized after the conclusion of the IGRM. While freight train operations successfully resumed in February 2025 after a nine-month hiatus, restoring passenger services remains the primary agenda item.

Potential Timeline and New Route Proposals

If a positive consensus is reached during the current talks, passenger operations could potentially resume as early as October 2026. Bangladesh has formally proposed not only the restart of the existing international trains but is also actively pushing for a brand new passenger service linking Rajshahi in Bangladesh to Kolkata in India. Furthermore, Dhaka is expected to suggest rerouting the Maitree Express via the newly constructed Padma Bridge, moving away from the traditional Jamuna Bridge route.

Night Operations and Inter-Ministerial Coordination

Alongside route modifications, Bangladesh also intends to advocate for night-time train operations and the introduction of dedicated parcel booking services to boost bilateral trade and passenger convenience. Any final approval for these major service changes and new routes requires extensive coordination with foreign, home, and other relevant ministries in both nations, with final authority resting with the respective political leadership. These bilateral discussions closely follow the gradual restoration of visa processes between the two countries since the formation of the BNP government in February.