Bhubaneswar: For the first time since August, after the fall of Sheikh Hasina regime, the Foreign Secretary of India Monday paid an official visit to Dhaka. This the first high-level official contact between the two countries after the August unrest and government change.

The official tour of India’s FS Vikram Misri has come in at a time when the minority Hindus in the country are facing worst ever violence in the neighbouring country. Mobs are torching Hindu temples. ISCKON leader Chinmay Krishna Das arrested on charges of sedition and ISCKON temples are targeted in a big way. 

MEA STATEMENT

As per the official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Foreign Secretary has called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. He also held Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Jashim Uddin.
 
The official MEA statement highlights the following.

• It said, 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 each other’s concerns and interests. 
• Foreign Secretary emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.

ON ATTACKS ON HINDUS

As per the MEA release, Foreign Secretary also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.

•  He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.

DISCUSSIONS ON WHOLE GAMUT OF RELATIONSHIP

The MEA release says, “During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering 

• Political and security matters, 
• Border management, 
• Trade, commerce and connectivity, 
• Cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, 
• Development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties. 
• They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

WHAT BANGLADESH FOREIGN SECY SAID?

As per media reports from Bangladesh, in a press meet, Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin told journalists after the Foreign Office Consultation with his Indian counterpart on Monday that Dhaka has asked New Delhi not to interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

"We said people of all religions in Bangladesh freely practice their faiths. This is our internal affair. It is not expected [of other countries] to make comments on our internal affairs. We don't do it for other countries," he said.

SHIEKH HASINA ISSUE DISCUSSED?

The media reports from Bangladesh shows the first high level meet between India and Bangladesh saw cropping of former PM Shiekh Hasina’s stay in India.

Speaking to media in Dhaka, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has said that his Indian counterpart Vikram Misri conveyed to him that the presence of Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi will not have any impact on bilateral relations.

"We'll work with the government of the day," the foreign secretary quoted his counterpart, "Her presence does not have any bearing on our relations."

Reports say Bangladesh Foreign secretary raised the issue of her presence in New Delhi and making different statements during the foreign office consultation (FoC) with Indian counterpart Vikram Misri.

The comment by Bangladesh Foreign Secy after the end of Indian Foreign Secy’s visit has been that he told reporters, "There was a gap in understanding. I think after this visit, the gap will be reduced."

WILL ATTACK ON MINORITIES, ESP. HINDUS, STOP?

The tone and tenor of Bangladesh Foreign Secretary on Indian statements and protests on arrest of ISCKON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das tells a big tale.

Dhaka calls Indian statements and protests as interference in Dhaka’s internal affairs.

INDIA – BANGLADESH HIGH LEVEL CONTACT AFTER HASINA’S FALL

• After political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024, Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office.
• Modi invited   Yunus to speak at the third Voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August this year.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Bangladeshi counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September this year.

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