Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday met with his counterpart the Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hussain, as the officials took stock of the tense relations between the countries. Relations between the two countries have plummeted over the past few months since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, followed by the interim government of Muhammad Yunus taking charge. Under Yunus the Bangladesh authorities have seemingly allowed a nationwide pogrom against the minority Hindu community.
“Today’s discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors.”
#WATCH | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, “…Today’s discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my… https://t.co/fSx7p5UDpw pic.twitter.com/ZGqJNqkXKy
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024
A press statement issued by the authorities read, “During these meetings foreign Secretary 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 concerns and interests.”
The statement also informed that the Foreign Secretary had discussed recent developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. In the meeting the Secretary also raised the issue of “some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.”
On Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Bangladesh today, MEA says, “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. Foreign… pic.twitter.com/qmKWZLRuab
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024
The ties between India and Bangladesh have been under severe strain as the Yunus regime has allowed a genocide of the Hindu community. The relations between the two deteriorated further in recent weeks over attacks on Hindu temples and the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das along with action taken against other ISKCON priests.
The attacks on the Hindu community have triggered strong concerns in New Delhi. In September, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain met briefly with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of a UN general assembly meeting. Now this latest effort is seen as another attempt to thaw the deteriorating relations.
