New Delhi lodges strong protest with Dhaka over controversial statements by aide of Bangladesh interim government
| 2024-12-20
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal briefs the media on December 20, 2024.
MEA Spokesperson reminds all concerned to be mindful of their public comments
India has lodged a “strong protest” with Dhaka over controversial statements made by a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
According to media reports, in a Facebook post that has since been deleted, the aide, Mahfuj Alam wrote that India should recognise the uprising that forced the Sheikh Hasina government to resign.
"We have registered our strong protest on this issue with the Bangladesh side. We understand that the post being referred to has been taken down,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions at the weekly media briefing.
He also used the opportunity to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments and act responsibly.
“We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments. While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation,” Jaiswal stated.
Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain in recent months, particularly after widespread instances of attacks on minorities including members of the Hindu community in different parts of Bangladesh.
During a visit to Dhaka on December 9, 2024, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri asserted that India wants a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. At the same time, he also conveyed India’s concerns about the safety and welfare of minority communities in Bangladesh following attacks and arrests in recent months.
While in Dhaka, Misri called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain. He also co-chaired the India-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart.
This was the first high-level engagement with the Bangladesh interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus that was formed following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024 amidst massive anti-government protests.
In his statement to the media, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted the mutually beneficial engagement on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation. “There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh,” he remarked.
At the same time, Foreign Secretary Misri said he discussed “certain recent developments and issues”, and conveyed India’s concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.
“We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties. We expect, overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction,” he said.
Last month, India called on Bangladesh's interim government to fulfill its responsibility of safeguarding minorities amid increasing incidents of violence and rising extremist rhetoric.
MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal highlighted India’s concerns during the weekly media briefing on November 29, 2024. “The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities,” he stated, emphasising that India has consistently raised concerns with the Bangladeshi authorities about threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities.
The MEA statement came following recent attacks on Hindu minorities and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges in a case filed in October this year. Das is a leader of Hindu religious organisation Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote. His arrest in Dhaka in November sparked unrest in Bangladesh and drew sharp criticism from religious and political groups in India.
According to media reports, in a Facebook post that has since been deleted, the aide, Mahfuj Alam wrote that India should recognise the uprising that forced the Sheikh Hasina government to resign.
"We have registered our strong protest on this issue with the Bangladesh side. We understand that the post being referred to has been taken down,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions at the weekly media briefing.
He also used the opportunity to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments and act responsibly.
“We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments. While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation,” Jaiswal stated.
Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain in recent months, particularly after widespread instances of attacks on minorities including members of the Hindu community in different parts of Bangladesh.
During a visit to Dhaka on December 9, 2024, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri asserted that India wants a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. At the same time, he also conveyed India’s concerns about the safety and welfare of minority communities in Bangladesh following attacks and arrests in recent months.
While in Dhaka, Misri called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain. He also co-chaired the India-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart.
This was the first high-level engagement with the Bangladesh interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus that was formed following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024 amidst massive anti-government protests.
In his statement to the media, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted the mutually beneficial engagement on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation. “There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh,” he remarked.
At the same time, Foreign Secretary Misri said he discussed “certain recent developments and issues”, and conveyed India’s concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.
“We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties. We expect, overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction,” he said.
Last month, India called on Bangladesh's interim government to fulfill its responsibility of safeguarding minorities amid increasing incidents of violence and rising extremist rhetoric.
MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal highlighted India’s concerns during the weekly media briefing on November 29, 2024. “The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities,” he stated, emphasising that India has consistently raised concerns with the Bangladeshi authorities about threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities.
The MEA statement came following recent attacks on Hindu minorities and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges in a case filed in October this year. Das is a leader of Hindu religious organisation Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote. His arrest in Dhaka in November sparked unrest in Bangladesh and drew sharp criticism from religious and political groups in India.
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