NEW DELHI/DHAKA: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Monday sought a “constructive approach” from Bangladesh to issues related to safety of minority communities, particularly Hindus, in the restive country as he conveyed India’s concerns over their welfare in meetings in Dhaka with his counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, and chief adviser Muhammad Yunus. Misri, though, reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with the interim government.
Yunus described relations between the neighbours as “very solid” and “close” and sought India’s efforts to clear the “clouds” casting a shadow over bilateral ties.
The first high-level visit from India to Bangladesh since the ouster of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina brought out the differences between the two sides over the attacks on minorities, with Jashim Uddin saying this was Bangladesh’s internal matter while flagging “misinformation and false reporting” in Indian media.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary also raised the issue of Hasina’s presence in India. So did Yunus, saying “our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions.”
Misri said after the meetings, including one with Bangaldesh foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain, “We had the opportunity to discuss recent developments, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to safety and welfare of minorities.” Misri said he also discussed some “regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties” in Bangladesh.
“We expect, overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction,” he said.
As Bangladesh under Yunus looks to rebuild its ties with Pakistan, Dhaka also called for revitalisation of Saarc in the meetings with Misri. The visit by the foreign secretary came close on the heels of a diplomatic row with Dhaka over the arrest by Bangladesh authorities of a Hindu monk who was slapped with sedition charges. It is learnt that Misri raised the issue, seeking a fair and transparent legal process for him.
Jashim Uddin was quoted as saying after his meeting, “We highlighted that all religions in Bangladesh are practised freely and there is no room for confusion or misrepresentation.” He added that “foreign comments” on internal issues of Bangladesh were inappropriate. He said he raised the issue of Hasina’s presence in India, and Misri told him that it will not have a bearing on their relationship as India will work with “ govt of the day”. According to the Bangladeshi diplomat, while Dhaka will wait to hear from relevant departments before seeking her extradition, it conveyed to India that it doesn’t approve of Hasina’s statements coming out of Delhi.
Misri highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. “He reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests,” said goverment.
Misri was said to have emphasised that people are the main stakeholders in IndiaBangladesh relations and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards benefit of people of Bangladesh. He said he had frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all his interlocutors.
“I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future, this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force,” he said.
In the talks, Bangladesh stressed the need to formalise Teesta River Water Treaty. With Ganga Water Treaty set to expire in 2026, Jashim Uddin emphasised the need to initiate the process for its renewal. “You are aware that reducing border killings to zero is our priority. We believe that every life is precious. One life is too many. We have requested the Indian govt to take visible and effective steps towards this end,” the Bangladesh foreign secretary said.
A significant number of Bangladeshis visit India every year for tourism and medical purposes. Bangladesh requested for facilitation of their visas and other consular issues.
(With inputs from Ahsan Tasnim)