India is in favour of a “positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial” relationship with Bangladesh
India is keen to have a “people-centric and people-oriented” engagement with Dhaka and this sentiment was conveyed by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during his first ever visit this week to Bangladesh, currently being ruled by Chief Adviser of the interim government Mohammad Yunus.    

“We have always seen in the past and we continue to see in the future this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship; one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told journalists after holding Foreign Office Consultations with his counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin in Dhaka.

Given that Bangladesh is undergoing internal churning since student-led protests saw ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in August this year, India’s Foreign Secretary’s just concluded visit to Dhaka is considered as a highly important official trip. As it led to ironing out differences between the two countries that have set in on account of violence and attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

“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,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.

This undoubtedly underlines India’s desire to see New Delhi and Dhaka walk hand-in-hand for the betterment of the people of the two countries. For this, however, Bangladesh will have to put its house in order. It will have to deal strictly against those whose actions have a potential to push the country into anarchy.

“India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. Our position on the matter is clear—the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting minorities,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

India’s concern
The MEA Spokesperson’s statement came in the backdrop of the arrest of former ISKCON member and popular Hindu priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu at Dhaka airport on charges of sedition on November 25.

Expressing concern over his arrest, the MEA earlier issued a statement, maintaining that “This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings.”

However, Bangladesh has downplayed violence against Hindus and other minorities, describing it as “exaggerated propaganda” with political motives aimed at destabilizing the country.

To add fuel to fire, the Bangladesh Attorney General, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, has demanded a ban on ISKCON. He had a couple of weeks ago also requested the court to annul constitution amendments which made Bangladesh a secular nation.

“We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities,” the MEA Spokesperson said.

Incidents of violence and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh also echoed inside the Indian Parliament where the government expressed its concern over the rise in violence against minorities and desecration of Hindu temples and deities in the country.

“Several incidents of discretion and damage to Hindu temples and deities in Bangladesh have been reported in the past few months. The Government of India has expressed its concerns about such incidents, including the attack on a puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024,” Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told Rajya Sabha on November 28.

“Ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship,” India asked the Mohammad Yunus-led government in Bangladesh, emphasizing that “the primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh.”

Conclusion
In complete disregard to Hindu and other minorities’ human rights, radical elements in Bangladesh have launched a barbaric campaign against those who have never dreamt of becoming victims of targeted attacks.

Reports of Hindu’s shops and houses being set on fire by mobs, desecration of Hindu’s temples and deities, murders and abductions of people belonging to the minority community, implicating Hindu leaders and priests in false cases are reflecting badly against Bangladesh and its short-and-long term interests. 

It is in this light, the Foreign Secretary’s statement, in which he conveyed India’s concern over “safety and welfare” of minorities in Bangladesh, assumes high importance because incidents of violence and attacks have implications on peace and security of the region.

*** The writer is a security and strategic affairs commentator; views expressed here are his own