Wed Dec 04 19:45:31 UTC 2024: ## India Briefs Parliamentary Panel on China, Canada, and Bangladesh Amidst Growing Concerns
**New Delhi, December 5, 2024** – India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, briefed a parliamentary panel on Wednesday on the country’s relations with China, Canada, and Bangladesh. The briefing follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement on the China disengagement process and comes amidst rising concerns over the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Regarding China, Misri reported positive progress in the Ladakh disengagement process, echoing Jaishankar’s assessment. However, the briefing prompted several questions from Opposition MPs, though the meeting remained cordial, according to sources.
On strained relations with Canada, Misri attributed the deterioration to Canada’s “unfriendly policies,” specifically citing the lack of evidence to support allegations of Indian involvement in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He highlighted the relative leniency afforded to Khalistani groups in Canada compared to other countries, allowing them a safe haven to conduct anti-India activities.
The parliamentary committee is scheduled to reconvene on December 11th to discuss the situation in Bangladesh, particularly following the recent change in government and reports of targeted attacks against Hindus. This follows concerns raised in the Lok Sabha by BJP MPs regarding the persecution of Hindus, including the case of jailed ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. Misri is set to visit Dhaka on December 10th. The issue of the safety and security of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, who comprise 8% of the population, is expected to be a key focus of the upcoming meeting.
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