Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri speaks to the mass media after his meeting with the foreign adviser on Monday. — FE Photo Dhaka raised exception to interference in its internal affairs during an icebreaking consultation Monday with India, where Delhi expressed its "desire to work closely" with Bangladesh's interim government.
At the foreign office consultation (FOC) meet held in Dhaka-the first high-level engagement between the two next-door neighbours after the August-5th student-mass uprising that toppled the Hasina government--both sides agreed to advance the bilateral ties that have virtually been getting strained following the unseating of Sheikh Hasina.
"There is no doubt that trust deficit exists between the two countries and this FOC is a crucial step to rebuild the trust," Bangladesh foreign secretary Jashim Uddin told a press briefing after the talks ended.
Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who led his country's delegation at the FOC, made it clear that India wants to work with the interim government.
After the parleys were over, the top Indian diplomat met Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus and foreign adviser Touhid Hossain separately.
"We told them that Bangladesh do not interfere in domestic affairs of other countries, and similarly expects that others will also not interfere in its domestic affairs," said foreign secretary Jashim Uddin at the press meet.
Responding to a question he said Bangladesh raised the issue of the stay of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India.
The Indian side categorically said the stay of Sheikh Hasina in India would not have any bearings on the bilateral ties.
However, the host side made it clear that it does not like the way Hasina making political statement and "false propaganda" against the government, the foreign secretary said, adding that the Indian government was requested to take due steps to restrain her from doing so.
Asked about the reply of his Indian counterparty, Mr Joshjim said the Indian FS took note of it.
To another question, the foreign secretary said Bangladesh would ask India to send back Hasina after following due legal process.
The India side conveyed its concerns over matters that include those related to safety and welfare of minorities and the FOC discussed some "regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties".
The Indian foreign secretary said his country expects, 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".
Terming the discussion 'free, frank and candid', the Bangladesh foreign secretary said they expressed concern over the propaganda by the Indian government against Bangladesh and also made it clear that this belies the real scenario of the minorities as the government is committed to ensuring all kinds of rights and freedoms of the minority communities.
Bangladesh also raised the issue of the killing of Bangladeshis on the border by the Indian Border Security Force, demanding immediate halt to this practice.
"We also stressed the need for immediate signing of the Teesta River water-sharing deal and renewal of the Ganges Treaty," the foreign secretary told the press.
Bangladesh sought cooperation of India in facilitating the electricity import from Nepal and Bhutan and in resolving the issue of Rohingya repatriation.
"We also requested them to ensure undisrupted supply of essential commodities and to withdraw non-tariff barriers on the import of Bangladeshi products."
Addressing the press after the FOC was all over, the Indian foreign secretary said, "Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors."
Mr Misra said he emphasised that "India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. 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".
This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed, he said as an instance of cooperation.
It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement the two countries have on a whole set of issues, ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation.
"There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh," he told the journalists.
He recalled that since the political changes in Bangladesh, in August this year, there has, of course, been contact between leaders of the two countries. "Our Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Adviser on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter and the Chief Adviser also accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to speak at the Third Voice of Global South Summit that was held in August this year," he added.
Since then, the External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Affairs Adviser have also been in touch. They met each other on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September this year.
"And my visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary-level structured engagement between the two sides following those developments," the Indian FS said.
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