Jaishankar meets Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, focuses on improving ties

NEW YORK: In a crucial first meeting following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties amid the flux in the neighbouring country. The bilateral talks, which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, focused on recalibrating ties between the two nations amidst rising anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh and escalating tensions along the border. The ministers emphasized cooperation and mutual respect while addressing delicate issues, including the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh and concerns over border security. The discussions primarily revolved around the evolving diplomatic relationship between the two neighbours. According to Dr Jaishankar, “The conversation focused on strengthening our bilateral ties while acknowledging the challenges we face.” He emphasized India’s continued commitment to fostering a peaceful and stable relationship with Bangladesh. The backdrop of these discussions includes rising anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh, which has been exacerbated since Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5. The shift in leadership has created new diplomatic challenges. Hossain, speaking ahead of the meeting, admitted the difficulties, stating, “We are fully aware of the issues, and acknowledging them is the first step to resolving them. We aim to build a relationship based on mutual respect and fairness moving forward.” During the talks, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the significance of addressing cross-border concerns such as trade, security, and water-sharing agreements. He reiterated India’s commitment to supporting a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation on security, with particular focus on countering terrorism and maintaining stability in the region. Mr. Hossain acknowledged anti-India sentiments as a concern but assured that the interim government was eager to engage constructively. “We will certainly try to sort out the tension and maintain working relations. Bangladesh values its ties with India, and this relationship should be based on mutual benefits,” he said. Minority Treatment One of the critical issues discussed was the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly the Hindu community. There have been multiple reports of violence against Hindus in the wake of political unrest in the country. Hossain, in his statement, sought to reassure India that the interim government was committed to the protection of all its citizens. “Hindus in Bangladesh are our citizens, and we are taking every possible measure to protect them,” he asserted. However, he was quick to clarify that the violence against Hindus should not be exaggerated. “Yes, some violence has occurred, but to suggest that it is solely targeting Hindus is incorrect. The portrayal in Indian media has been exaggerated,” Mr. Hossain commented, adding that the government was working diligently to restore peace and security. Border Tensions Amid High-level Meet While the talks aimed to smoothen bilateral ties, tensions at the India- Bangladesh border flared up with the kidnapping of a Border Security Force (BSF) officer by what the Indian side described as” illegal Bangladeshi miscreants. ” The incident occurred on September 25 in the Dinajpur area of West Bengal, further complicating the already delicate situation between the two nations. The BSF accused a group of 15-20 miscreants of crossing over from Bangladesh and taking the officer into custody on the Bangladeshi side. India lodged a formal protest with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), expressing concern over the abduction. The situation remains unresolved, adding another layer of complexity to the bilateral dialogue. Hossain did not directly address the issue during his statement but indicated that Bangladesh would work with Indian authorities to de-escalate tensions at the border. India and Bangladesh have historically enjoyed strong ties, especially during the tenures of Sheikh Hasina, who was viewed as pro-India. Under her leadership, the two countries cooperated on several fronts, including trade, infrastructure, and counter-terrorism. However, the resignation of Hasina, followed by the rise of the Yunus-led interim government, has shifted the dynamics. The anti-India sentiment within certain sections of Bangladeshi society poses a significant challenge to maintaining this relationship. Despite these challenges, both nations seem committed to dialogue. Dr. S. Jaishankar, during the meeting, reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh through its political transition, saying “We stand by Bangladesh in ensuring a peaceful and stable environment for its people.” Hossain, while acknowledging the difficult path ahead, expressed optimism about resolving tensions, emphasizing the shared cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations. Our relationship is deep-rooted, and we believe that with mutual understanding, we can overcome the hurdles we face today, he said. (Ananya Singh contributed inputs for this article)