Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Mohammed Touhid Hossain said on Saturday that the bilateral relationship with India has undergone a significant shift since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. He also pointed out that addressing “Bangladesh’s concerns” is crucial for strengthening ties between the two nations.
Speaking at a seminar at North South University in Dhaka on Saturday, Hossain said, “After August 5, relations with India have changed, and this is the reality.”
“We must build and continue our relationship with India in view of this reality,” he added.
Hossain also highlighted the importance of addressing “Bangladesh’s concerns” to improve relations. “The previous government (of Bangladesh) tried its best to address India’s concerns. We, too, had concerns, but our issues remain unresolved,” Hossain said.
Despite the turbulence, Hossain expressed optimism about improving relations with India. He reiterated that Bangladesh would strive to protect mutual interests, stating, “We would like to be optimistic that we can establish a good relationship so that the interests of both parties are protected. We will not cause harm to anyone. We do not want anyone to cause harm to us.”
He was speaking at a roundtable discussion on India-Bangladesh relations, organized by the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance and the Political Science and Sociology Department of North South University.
The political upheaval that led to Hasina’s ouster in August was sparked by a student-led movement, which culminated in protests and violent clashes that claimed the lives of over 600 people. Following Hasina’s departure to India, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power.
Since Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has experienced rising attacks on minorities. The situation worsened following spiritual preacher Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest, leading to violence between police and his followers in Chattogram on November 27, which resulted in the death of a lawyer during clashes.
On Friday, the MEA expressed alarm over the rise of “extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocation” in Bangladesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has consistently raised the issue of targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities with the Bangladeshi government, urging the interim leadership to take action to protect the country’s minorities.