India needs to address Dhaka’s concerns; optimistic about good bilateral relations: Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser

“Bangladesh's previous (ousted) government addressed the concerns of India, but India did not address Bangladesh's concerns,” Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said speaking at a roundtable titled 'Bangladesh-India Relations: Expectations, Barriers and Future'.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: November 30, 2024 11:36 PM IST

4 min read

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, in New York, USA. @BDMOFA/PTI

Bangladesh has called on India to address its unresolved concerns to strengthen bilateral relations, even as tensions simmer over the recent arrest of a Hindu priest. Speaking on Saturday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain expressed optimism about the future of ties while emphasising the importance of protecting mutual interests.

Hossain acknowledged a shift in Bangladesh-India relations since August 5, describing it as a “reality.” He highlighted the imbalance in addressing each other’s priorities, stating, “While the previous Bangladeshi government took steps to address India’s concerns, Dhaka’s issues have largely remained unaddressed by New Delhi.”

The change in dynamics followed the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 amidst protests over a controversial job quota system. Her departure paved the way for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to assume the role of Chief Adviser in the interim government three days later.

The diplomatic row erupted between India and Bangladesh after Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday.

Das, the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was denied bail and remanded to custody by Chattogram’s Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate court on Tuesday in a sedition case. His arrest sparked clashes between his supporters and security forces, resulting in the death of a lawyer.

Also read | ISKCON monk Chinmoy Das held in Bangladesh for sedition: All you need to know

Hossain was speaking at a roundtable titled ‘Bangladesh-India Relations: Expectations, Barriers and Future’, organised by the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) and the Department of Political Science and Sociology (PSS) at North South University, according to the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

The Foreign Affairs Adviser acknowledged that “there is a change in relations after August 5,” describing it as “reality,” but he remained optimistic about the bilateral relationship despite ongoing diplomatic challenges.

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“Dhaka wants to remain optimistic that we will be able to establish a good relationship with India, ensuring that bilateral interests are protected,” Hossain was quoted as saying by BSS.

He also stressed the importance of achieving a national consensus on foreign policy, arguing that Bangladesh has been unable to fully realise its potential due to internal political divisions.

Also read | ‘Promote peaceful coexistence’ for Hindus: Iskcon Bangladesh denounces seer Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest

Following a series of anti-Hindu incidents this week — including the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on Hindu temples and community members — India on Friday urged the interim government in Bangladesh to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding all minorities. Expressing serious concern over the “surge” in extremist rhetoric and the increasing violence against Hindus and temples, India called for immediate action.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that India has taken careful note of the violence targeting minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasised that it is Dhaka’s primary responsibility to ensure the protection of the lives and liberties of all citizens, including minority communities.

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Meanwhile, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the violent protests outside its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. It called on New Delhi to guarantee the safety and security of all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions within India.

Highlighting unresolved bilateral issues, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain noted that there has been no progress on key matters, such as the Teesta water-sharing agreement or the longstanding issue of border killings, according to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

(With inputs from PTI)

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