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Yunus described relations between India and Bangladesh as “very solid” after attacks on Hindus in recent weeks became a source of concern for New Delhi.
During the meeting with Misri in Bangladesh, Yunus described relationships between the two countries as very solid. (MoFA Bangladesh)
Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus met India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri amid an apparent strain in bilateral relations, where he raised the issue of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statements from India, saying it is creating tensions.
“Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions,” Yunus told the Indian foreign secretary, according to an official statement. He also spoke on how students, workers and people joined hands during the student-led protests against Hasina to end her “corrupt regime”.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for a day’s visit and conducted high-level talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin and foreign adviser Md Touhif Hossain. Misri raised India’s concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and stressed its desire to establish a close working relationship with the neighbouring country.
What Did Yunus Say On Minorities?
Misri called on Chief Adviser Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, where they held a 40-minute long meeting to discuss issues of minorities, misinformation campaigns, Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India, regional cooperation and the mass uprising in mid-July to August that toppled the Awami League government.
There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi. Yunus said the interim government is committed to protecting every citizen and safeguarding their rights irrespective of their creed, colour, ethnicity and gender. “We are a family. We have to work together,” he said.
India-Bangladesh Relations ‘Very Solid’: Yunus
During the meeting, the Nobel laureate 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, as per the statement.
Elaborating on the mass protests, Yunus said, “Our job is to keep their dreams alive. It is a new Bangladesh.” He also briefly outlined the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government. The Chief Adviser also called for close bilateral cooperation in floods and water management and urged India to join in his initiative to revive SAARC. “We want to build a prosperous new future for all of us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Misri urged a push towards “joint and concerted efforts” to boost relationships between the two neighbours, which are beneficial for both countries and said India wants to “carry on from where we left off” when Hasina was in charge.
Misri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first foreign leaders to greet Yunus after he assumed office. “We wish you every success,” he said, adding that it was a wrong perception that India had ties with one particular party in Bangladesh. “They are not meant for one particular party, but for every one.”
The Foreign Secretary also said India doubled the number of visas for Bangladeshis last month and would increase the number further in the coming days. “We can take our relationships forward,” he said.
What Happened Between India And Bangladesh?
The close ties came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of massive anti-government protests in August. Nobel Peace laureate Mohammad Yunus came to power days after Hasina fled to India.
Interim government head Yunus earlier said India might not have liked the “revolution” ousting a “fascist regime”. Members of his interim cabinet said Indian media was largely exaggerating the harassment of minorities after the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on Hindus in recent weeks attracted worldwide condemnation.
Misri’s trip is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since August 5 when Hasina was ousted. A day before the meeting on Sunday (December 8), Hossain expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the kind of stalemate that the two neighbouring countries witnessed over the last couple of months.
- Location :
Dhaka, Bangladesh