The United States has called on India and Bangladesh to address their ongoing differences through peaceful means. The statement came from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a daily briefing on Tuesday. His remarks come in the wake of heightened tensions between the two nations, particularly following the recent developments in Bangladesh, which have caused concern in India.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, visited Bangladesh earlier this week and raised India’s concerns regarding the safety and security of minorities in the country, particularly in light of recent communal violence. “I have underlined India’s desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh. At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities,” Misri said while speaking to reporters in Dhaka at the conclusion of his visit. He emphasized that the discussions were used to take stock of the bilateral relationship and underlined India’s intention to maintain a “positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship” with Bangladesh.
India perceives its relationship with Bangladesh as “people-centric” and aims to ensure that it benefits all sections of the population. Misri’s statement reflects New Delhi’s desire for a harmonious relationship with its neighbor, despite recent strains between the two countries. Relations have been particularly strained since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down in August following widespread protests, primarily led by student groups. This led to the formation of an interim government under Muhammad Yunus, and Hasina sought refuge in India. Following her ouster, the caretaker government has spoken about the possibility of seeking Hasina’s extradition, further fueling tensions.
The political upheaval in Bangladesh has been accompanied by a surge in attacks on Hindus and other minorities. There have also been reports of the torching and arson of the Indian government-run Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka. The situation has led to protests in several Indian states bordering Bangladesh, such as West Bengal and Tripura, particularly over the arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was detained on sedition charges.
In a dramatic incident, a group of protesters stormed the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala, Tripura, last week. They vandalized the property and desecrated the Bangladeshi flag, further exacerbating the already fragile diplomatic situation. The US has expressed its concern over these developments and urged both India and Bangladesh to engage in dialogue to resolve their issues peacefully, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability in the region.
