With tensions rising and diplomatic relations stuttering between India and Bangladesh the Indian Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri is set to visit Dhaka. As per reports, he will embark on Bangladesh trip on Monday, December 9, 2024 for the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). It is a key component of the structured diplomatic engagement between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. The visit will involve meetings between Bangladesh’s foreign ministry officials and the officials will discuss a range of bilateral issues.
In a press conference, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Foreign Secretary’s visit will strengthen the ongoing dialogue between India and Bangladesh.
“Foreign Office consultations led by the Foreign Secretary are a structured engagement between our two countries. We look forward to this meeting,” Jaiswal said.
“The foreign secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh for Foreign Office Consultations on December 9. This is part of our structured interactions with the Bangladesh side,” he added.
The spokesperson also commented on the case of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Hindu priest who was detained by the Bangladesh authorities on trumped up charges of ‘sedition’. Das’ lawyer had earlier been beaten up and is in the ICU while no other lawyer has agreed to take his case so far. Along with Das more than a dozen individuals linked with the Hindu organization ISKCON have also had their accounts frozen.
“We have spoken on this issue earlier. We would like to reiterate our expectation that relevant legal processes underway in Bangladesh are executed in a fair, just and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of concerned individuals,” the spokesperson said.
Relations between the two countries have been plummeting since the US-backed Muhammad Yunus led regime took charge after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina by contrived protests. Under Yunus, a number of Islamist groups have come forth to carry out a genocide of the minority Hindus while the regime allowing a state sponsored pogrom. Now even arresting Hindu priests and targeting Hindu organizations to further bully the minority community.
