New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has issued a warning to Bangladesh regarding its inconsistent stance toward India, following his meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain in Muscat. He has advised Dhaka to refrain from making certain “ridiculous” claims against India by the interim government’s leaders.
Mr. Jaishankar’s warning is issued in response to the growing hostility between Dhaka and New Delhi. The foreign minister expressed his apprehension with a firm tone, stating that Bangladesh must “decide” immediately regarding the direction of their relations with India.
Mr. Jaishankar emphasized the duplicity of Dhaka, opining that it is impossible for Bangladesh to claim it desires cordial relations with India while simultaneously attributing all domestic misfortunes to New Delhi.
“If an individual in the interim government stands up on a daily basis and attributes all of the blame to India, some of the statements are completely absurd when one examines the reports.”One cannot simultaneously assert, “I would now like to have good relations with you,” while simultaneously attributing all of life’s misfortunes to you. Mr. Jaishankar stated at a public event that it is their responsibility to make the decision.
“They must determine the nature of their future relationship with New Delhi.” There is a lengthy history between us and Bangladesh. He also mentioned that we have a unique history with Bangladesh, dating back to 1971.
The foreign minister also reiterated India’s apprehensions regarding the situation in Bangladesh and its potential impact on bilateral negotiations. “Communal attacks on minorities are the first of two aspects of the issue that our bilateral relations are currently experiencing.” The recent spate of attacks on minorities is a source of great concern for India. It is evident that it influences our thought processes. Mr. Jaishankar stated, “It is imperative that we raise awareness of this matter, and we have done so.”
“The second aspect,” he pointed out “is that they have their domestic politics – which you can agree with or disagree with, but at the end of the day, we are their neighbour, and they have to make up their mind on their outlook towards us.”
He stated that the Government of India has “sent a clear message to Bangladesh”; that New Delhi would prefer for matters to settle down. However, it does not appreciate Bangladesh’s persistent hostile messaging toward India.
Last week, Mr. Jaishankar communicated to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Touhid Hossain, that Dhaka must refrain from “normalizing” terrorism. The warning is issued in response to the increasing influence of Pakistan in Bangladesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the Bangladeshi side brought up the issue of SAARC during the EAM meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser in Muscat in response to a question regarding whether the regional grouping SAARC was discussed during Mr. Jaishankar’s meeting with Mr. Hossain. It was acknowledged that all individuals in South Asia are cognizant of the country and activities that are responsible for impeding SAARC. EAM emphasized the significance of Bangladesh’s refusal to normalize terrorism.
Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Hossain had previously met on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September of the previous year. This meeting marked the first high-level engagement between India and Bangladesh’s interim government following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
