Diplomatic Correspondent

India said on Friday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Dhaka will help in sustaining the bilateral engagement with Bangladesh with a view to addressing New Delhi’s concerns and advancing the relationship.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a media briefing, said that “It is our understanding that the Foreign Secretary’s visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship.”

He also said that the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor had informed FS Misri that “around 70 people have been arrested in connection with attacks on minorities” and added ”We hope, and it is our expectation that the Bangladeshi side will do the needful.”

Jaiswal said that Foreign Secretary Misri during his December 9 visit to Dhaka met with the Chief Advisor Mohamed Yonus, and the Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, and also held the Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart Jashim Uddin.

“The Foreign Secretary spoke to the media on how we intend to take forward the relations. Foreign Secretary highlighted during his talks India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He also 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,” the MEA spokesperson said.

“FS Misri also discussed certain developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those relating to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious issues and diplomatic properties,” he added.

Asked to comment on ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s telephone address to her party workers in the US and UK, in which she made critical comments about the interim government, he said:

“It is not our practice to comment on speculative and selective reports on privileged matters.”

Bangladesh is being governed by an army backed-Interim Government, headed by Nobel laureate Mohammed Younus, following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5. The ex-PM fled to India and has been living in New Delhi since.

Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated following the rising attacks on Hindus and other minorities and desecration of Hindu places of worship and properties, with India repeatedly asking Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of its minorities. The arrest and denial of bail to an ISKCON monk earlier this month led to worsening of matters, with protests being held by ISKCON members across India. A group of Hindu protesters vandalised a Bangladeshi mission in Agartala earlier this month, upon which Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.