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- By Supratik Das
- Wed, 09 Apr 2025 03:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed serious concerns about rising radicalisation, minority attacks, and inflammatory rhetoric in Bangladesh, stating that India has been transparent and proactive in conveying these concerns to Dhaka. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Bangladesh, citing the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
Jaishankar strongly underlined India’s unique connection with Bangladesh, stating, “No country wishes Bangladesh well more than us. That’s almost in our DNA.” He added that India’s relationship with Bangladesh goes beyond governments and is firmly rooted in shared history, culture, and people-to-people ties.
India Worried About Radical Rhetoric and Minority Safety
The minister did not mince words when voicing India’s concerns: “We have concerns about the rhetoric which is coming out of the people in Bangladesh, we have concerns about the radicalising tendencies we see, and we have concerns about the attacks on minorities.” He emphasised that India has openly discussed these issues with Bangladesh and expressed hope that the country would take the right path.
Highlighting the long-standing bilateral partnership, Jaishankar said, “Our relationship with Bangladesh is a fundamental people-to-people connection, much more so than any other relationship I can think of. That’s something we need to recognise. It is not necessarily one of the government of the day.” Reinforcing the importance of democratic practices, Jaishankar urged Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections on time. “Democracies require elections; that’s how mandates are given and renewed. So, we hope they go down that path,” he said.
PM Modi-Yunus Meeting Reaffirms India’s Stand
On April 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India’s full support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.” He also raised serious concerns about the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure their protection and investigate incidents of violence thoroughly. According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release, PM Modi highlighted India’s people-first approach in its foreign relations, stating that cooperation with Bangladesh has brought tangible benefits to citizens on both sides.