India said on Friday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Dhaka will help in sustaining the bilateral engagement with Bangladesh with a view to addressing New Delhi’s concerns and advancing the relationship.
Addressing a media briefing, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that “It is our understanding that the Foreign Secretary’s visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship.”
He also said that the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor had informed FS Misri that “around 70 people have been arrested in connection with attacks on minorities” and added ”We hope, and it is our expectation that the Bangladeshi side will do the needful.”
Jaiswal said that Foreign Secretary Misri during his December 9 visit to Dhaka met with the Chief Advisor Mohamed Yonus, and the Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, and also held the Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart Jashim Uddin.
“The Foreign Secretary spoke to the media on how we intend to take forward the relations. Foreign Secretary highlighted during his talks India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He also reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests,” the MEA spokesperson said.
“FS Misri also discussed certain developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those relating to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious issues and diplomatic properties,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
