On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri engaged in discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, representing the first significant visit from India following Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power in August amid widespread violent demonstrations.
The elevated visit occurred amidst growing tension in relations between New Delhi and Dhaka concerning assaults on minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh following Hasina’s removal.
Misri is scheduled to confer with the nation’s de facto foreign minister, Mohammad Touhid Hossain. He is anticipated to address India’s worries with Dhaka concerning the recent assaults.
He is also set to make a courtesy visit to Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government or Chief Adviser.
India and Bangladesh shared strong bilateral relations for an extended period, with their friendship deepening under Sheikh Hasina. However, the relationship faced significant tension after Hasina had to exit the country due to a large-scale anti-government demonstration in August.
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Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus assumed office shortly after Hasina sought refuge in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India is dedicated to collaborating with Bangladesh to achieve the “common aspirations of both our nations for peace, security, and development”.
The relationship has worsened further in recent weeks due to assaults on Hindus and the detention of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
In recent weeks, a series of violent incidents targeting Hindus and other minorities, along with assaults on temples in the neighboring country, have raised significant worries in New Delhi.