India announced that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Bangladesh on December 9 for high-level discussions amid growing tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. This marks the first high-profile visit from India since former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following widespread anti-government protests.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson confirmed that Misri’s visit is part of the structured interactions under the framework of Foreign Office Consultations.
“The foreign secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh for Foreign Office Consultations on December 9. This is part of our structured interactions with the Bangladesh side,” the spokesperson said. During his visit, Misri will meet with his Bangladeshi counterpart and hold several other discussions.
Growing Strain in Bilateral Ties
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed power. The situation has worsened in recent weeks due to increasing incidents of violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh, and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges.
India has expressed grave concerns over these developments. “We have spoken on this issue earlier. We would like to reiterate our expectation that relevant legal processes underway in Bangladesh are executed in a fair, just, and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of concerned individuals,” the spokesperson said regarding Das’s arrest.
The attacks on minorities in Bangladesh have triggered protests in India. In one instance, demonstrators stormed the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, prompting the Bangladeshi foreign ministry to summon the Indian envoy and lodge a formal protest.
India has urged the interim government to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of minorities. The MEA spokesperson said, “The interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are deeply concerned about the surge of extremist rhetoric and the increasing violence against Hindus.”
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk, was arrested last month at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on sedition charges. India has emphasized the need for a fair and transparent legal process in this case and expressed hope that Das’s legal rights will be respected.
Focus of Misri’s Visit
The upcoming visit by Foreign Secretary Misri is expected to address these pressing issues and work toward restoring stability in bilateral relations. His discussions in Dhaka will likely focus on ensuring the protection of minorities and addressing the concerns surrounding recent incidents.
As India and Bangladesh navigate this challenging phase, the outcomes of this high-level engagement will be closely monitored for their impact on regional diplomacy.
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