India Desires Positive, Constructive & Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Bangladesh: Indian Foreign Secretary
Dec 09, 2024
India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri following the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held between the two countries in Dhaka on Monday. India also raised concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh, said the foreign secretary during a media briefing at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
Misri said both countries had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues in Bangladesh and “I conveyed our 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.”
The foreign secretary said they were now looking for a forward-moving relationship. “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.”
Misri said “We continue to see in the future this relationship as people-centric and people-oriented; one that has the benefits of all people as its central motivational force.”
“It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy development cooperation, consular and cultural cooperation,” he added.
“There is no reason why this mutually-beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver the interests of both our people,” he said.
“And therefore, I have underlined India’s desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh.”
The foreign secretary also stressed, “Since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has of course been contact between our leaderships. The Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office.” The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter, and the Chief Adviser (Muhammad Yunus) also accepted the Prime Minister’s (Narendra Modi) invitation to speak at the third Voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August this year.