Dhaka has urged New Delhi to refrain from interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, while India has expressed its interest in strengthening engagement with Bangladesh to enhance bilateral relations.
“Bangladesh refrains from commenting on the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same from other nations,” Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin told visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at foreign office consultation meeting today.
Jashim Uddin also told his Indian counterpart that Bangladesh is uncomfortable with statements made by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s statements from India.
During the meeting, India expressed its interest in advancing constructive and positive relations with Bangladesh. However, concerns were raised by India regarding the safety of minority communities and “attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties”.
In response, Bangladesh highlighted issues including border killings, river water-sharing agreements, tariff and non-tariff barriers in bilateral trade, mutual cooperation in the energy and power sectors, visa-related challenges, and the plight of Bangladeshi detainees in Indian prisons.
Following the foreign office consultation, the foreign secretaries of both countries described the discussions as “free, frank, and candid”, addressing various mutual interests.
Since the political shift on 5 August, tensions have strained Bangladesh-India relations. Recent unrest included protests and an attack at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
In response, Bangladesh withdrew diplomats from Agartala and Kolkata, while BNP and other groups have continued regular protests outside the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday to participate in the consultation and other key meetings.
Meeting with Yunus
Later in the day, Misri called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.
“There is no second thought about increasing engagements. We see this as beneficial for both countries,” Misri said. “We want to carry on from where we left off,” Misri said as they discussed issues of mutual interests.”
During the 40-minute long meeting, the issues of minorities, misinformation campaigns, ousted dictator Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India, regional cooperation and the July-August mass uprising were discussed.
Professor Yunus described relationships between Bangladesh and India as “very solid” and “close”. He asked India to help clear the “clouds” that have cast a shadow over the relationship between the two neighbours in recent times.
He raised the issue of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 after 15 years of brutal and corrupt dictatorship.
“Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions,” Professor Yunus told the Indian foreign secretary.
