Attacks on Hindus regrettable: FS calls for positive ties with Dhaka

India on Monday raised concern over attacks on the Hindu community, temples and diplomatic properties in Bangladesh while underscoring the need for having a “positive, constructive and a mutually beneficial relationship” with the neighbour.

This was conveyed to Bangladesh during consultations Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had with his counterpart Mohammad Jashimuddin in Dhaka. Misri is the first high-level Indian official to visit Bangladesh after the August 5 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Negative campaign: Bangladesh

After the meet, Bangladesh foreign secretary Mohd Jashim Uddin said they expected Delhi’s cooperation in halting “negative campaign” in India to build trust among the peoples of the two countries. “At the same time, no country is expected to interfere in our internal affairs,” he said.

Mamata takes ‘lollipop’ swipe

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee termed “absurd” reported remarks by some Bangladeshi leaders that they could occupy Bengal within days, and said “when you will come to occupy our land, don’t think we will have lollipops”. “No one has the guts to take our land,” she added.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said “comprehensive discussions (were held) on issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sector, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties”.

Misri highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, the MEA said. After the meeting, Misri told the media he had conveyed concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of the minorities in the country. “We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties,” the Foreign Secretary said while referring to frenzied attacks on the Hindu community in the recent past in Bangladesh.

India, he said, expected Bangladesh to adopt a constructive approach on these issues. “We look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking and constructive direction,” Misri said. Misri said India continued to see the relationship as one that had the “benefit of all the people as its central motivational force”. He reminded Dhaka about the ongoing development projects India was carrying out in the country and hoped these would continue. India and Bangladesh, Misri said, had a mutually beneficial engagement. “There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interests of both our peoples,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary later called on Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, and foreign affairs adviser Mohd Touhid Hossain. The visit comes amid increasing attacks on Hindus and their places of worship after the takeover by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

The top leadership of both nations has been in touch ever since the change of guard in Dhaka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to greet Yunus on his assumption of office. Yunus had later accepted Modi’s invite to speak at the third voice of the Global South Summit held in August. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and foreign affairs adviser Mohd Touhid Hossain had also been in touch. They had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September.