'Regrettable Incidents Of Attacks': India's Foreign Secretary On Bangladesh, Stresses Mutually Beneficial Relationship

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri went to Dhaka on the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim-ud-Din and raised the issue of attacks on minorities in the Islamic country.

After the meeting with Bangladesh's foreign advisor Mohammed Touhid Hossain on Monday (9 December), Misri emphasised 'extremely important bilateral relations.'

Misri recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to wish Muhammad Yunus on assuming the role of chief advisor of the interim government and the 'cordial' telephonic conversation thereafter.

He said that in today's meeting, there was a 'frank, candid and constructive exchange of views' and emphasis was laid on a 'people-centric, positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship' with Bangladesh.

Expressing India's 'desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh,' Misri conveyed India's concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, especially the Hindus.

Since Sheikh Hasina's ouster on 5 August, Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh have faced frequent attacks. The recent arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das has sparked another row of protests.

While Misri did not explicitly mention 'Hindus' in the statement, he said, "We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties," and urged a constructive approach.