Mon Dec 09 23:52:21 UTC 2024: ## India and Bangladesh Hold Talks Amidst Strained Relations

**DHAKA, Bangladesh** – India and Bangladesh held high-level talks Monday aimed at easing tensions stemming from the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh. The meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, follows the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a subsequent surge in violence targeting minority Hindus.

The visit, the first by a high-ranking Indian official since Hasina’s exile in India in August, comes amidst a backdrop of escalating concerns. India temporarily halted visa issuance to Bangladeshis (excluding emergency medical cases) and many Indian nationals working on infrastructure projects left Bangladesh due to security concerns. Allegations of attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh, and a retaliatory attack on a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in India, further complicated the situation.

While Misri emphasized India’s desire for continued cooperation and support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” Uddin stressed that Bangladesh would not tolerate interference in its internal affairs. He specifically addressed concerns regarding the treatment of religious minorities, stating that all faiths are freely practiced within the country.

The arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Das Prabhu, who had led protests demanding better protection for Hindus, has been a major point of contention. Reports of threats against Prabhu’s lawyers and subsequent delays in his bail hearing have fueled anger in both countries.

The recent incidents, including attacks on Indian diplomatic missions and reports of Indian flag desecration in Bangladesh, have significantly strained relations. Despite the ongoing tensions, Misri expressed India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh’s interim government. The meeting concluded with a pledge from both sides to address concerns and work towards a more constructive relationship.

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