Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India once a “favourable environment based on mutual respect” is created, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday, adding that no date has been fixed.

Kobir was speaking to reporters after a courtesy call by India’s high commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi.

Asked about speculation that the visit could take place in November, Kobir said he did not want to discuss it on the basis of rumours. “The reality is that a very good meeting took place,” he said, expressing hope of a positive outcome in the near future.

The state minister said the relationship faces challenges, which would be overcome through discussion. The visit would go ahead once a favourable environment based on mutual respect is in place, he added.

Pressed on whether a date had been set, Kobir said the question of timing had not yet arisen. Once the two sides reached a mutual position through talks and a favourable environment was in place, the date and time would be discussed, he said.

He described the meeting with Trivedi as cordial and productive, and said Bangladesh was hopeful of “overcoming the challenges through dialogue.”

A foreign ministry statement said the two discussed bilateral matters as well as regional and international issues, including the 81st UN General Assembly, which concluded recently in New York. Kobir set out Bangladesh’s commitment to work with India in a forward-looking and mutually respectful way in the mutual interests and for the welfare of the people.