DHAKA: Ahead of the foreign secretary-level talks with India scheduled for Monday, Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Dhaka sees a “kind of stalemate” with New Delhi that developed over the last couple of months amid reports of targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, which affected both sides. He, however, said the interim govt “remains optimistic” that it can be eased through discussion and bilateral meetings.
Hossain, addressing a seminar here on Sunday, highlighted the adverse impacts on bilateral business activities in recent months, affecting Bangladesh. “We expect that we will be able to overcome this standoff… I hope they (foreign secretaries) will have a fruitful discussion,” he said.
Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to reach Dhaka on Monday. Amid strained ties and post-Aug 5 criticisms, his visit marks the first by a senior Indian official since the Bangladesh interim govt, led by Muhammad Yunus, took over on August 8. Misri will lead the Indian delegation during the foreign office consultations (FOC) on Dec 9.
The consultations will cover key issues such as trade, border management, connectivity and water-sharing, according to Bangladesh’s ministry of foreign affairs. The FOC is also expected to address matters like visa issues, border security and potential extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, currently in India. Hossain said ties between Bangladesh and India have changed qualitatively since Aug 5, and urged both sides to navigate this new reality collaboratively. He reiterated Bangladesh’s desire for a balanced relationship.