Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning for high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh.
This marks the first significant official visit since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office in Bangladesh.
Misri’s visit comes against the backdrop of escalating concerns about violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the recent controversial arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong.
The discussions, held under the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism established between the two countries, are expected to address various facets of India-Bangladesh relations, with a focus on regional security, trade, and mutual cooperation.
Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Bangladesh’s interim Chief Advisor, confirmed last week that the foreign secretaries would engage in talks covering areas of shared interest and concern.
The ongoing dialogue builds upon a September meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a “good working relationship.”
Amid these diplomatic engagements, reports of violence against Bangladesh’s minority Hindu community have intensified.
On December 6, unidentified assailants allegedly set fire to the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Temple in Dhor village, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
Temple supervisor Babul Ghosh filed a police complaint, accusing unknown perpetrators of dousing idols with petrol and fleeing when he approached.
Ghosh claimed the attack may have involved “ulterior motives” beyond the act of vandalism itself.
Such incidents have heightened concerns within India, with the Ministry of External Affairs urging the Bangladeshi government to protect minority rights and ensure accountability.
The arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das has further strained public sentiment.
Associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, Das was detained on November 25 under alleged sedition charges following a complaint by a local politician accusing him of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a Hindu community rally in October.
The Ministry of External Affairs has pressed for a fair and transparent trial, emphasizing the need to uphold Das’s legal rights.
The next court hearing in the case has been scheduled for January 2, 2025.
As the two nations navigate these challenges, Misri’s visit underscores India’s commitment to maintaining robust ties with its eastern neighbour while addressing sensitive issues impacting bilateral relations.
The talks are expected to pave the way for continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest, even as India closely monitors the safety and rights of minority communities in Bangladesh.
