"Attacks on deplorable religious sites": India's plain language with Dhaka

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Foreign Secretary Vikran Misri said today that he conveyed New Delhi's concerns to Dhaka over the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. In a meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain, Mr Misri conveyed that the attacks on religious institutions and places of worship are "regrettable".


Mr Misri also conveyed to Bangladesh's interim government that India wishes to have a "positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial" relationship. Speaking to the media after his high-level meeting, Mr Misri said, "I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh Authority."


Speaking about the issue of minorities, Mr Misri said, "We discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious properties."


Calling the discussions "frank, candid, and constructive", Mr Misri said the discussions allowed both sides "the opportunity to take stock of our ties".


Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier today for a day-long visit. This was the first high-level meet between the two sides amid strained bilateral ties following the ouster of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.


Mr Misri first held a meeting with his counterpart - foreign secretary Jashim Uddin. The meeting was held at the state guest house Padma. The two foreign secretaries first held one-on-one talks and then a formal meeting was held where delegates from both sides were present.


Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh have faced testing times since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina after a massive anti-government protest in August. Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus took over as Bangladesh's Chief Adviser days after Ms Hasina fled to India.


Ties between both countries worsened after multiple incidents of violence in Bangladesh targeting the Hindu minority citizens. There has been a sharp rise in incidents of mob violence, vandalism of property, and desecration at places of worship targeting the minorities. To add to this, there has even been a crackdown on Hindu priests by the interim government in Bangladesh. Two Hindu priests are being prosecuted and there are concerns over their captivity.


Dhaka has said that the sporadic violence in Bangladesh was a manifestation of an outburst of anger against the leaders and activists of the ousted Hasina regime and the Hindus who were harassed were related to her Awami League party and violence had nothing to do with their religious faith.