“We share a deep-rooted and historic relationship with Bangladesh, dating back to 1971. However, the recent turn of events, especially after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, is concerning. What is particularly troubling is the series of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. This affects our perspective, and we have voiced our concerns on the matter,” he said.
He highlighted the ‘special history’ Bangladesh shares with India and mentioned that the leaders in the country must “make up their minds” on the relationship they want to have with New Delhi. “They have to make up their minds on what kind of relationship they want to have with us going ahead. We have a long history with Bangladesh. We have a very special history with Bangladesh,” Jaishankar added.The EAM further pointed out duplicity on Bangladesh’s part, saying, “If officials from the interim government continue to blame India for all their issues, some of which are completely baseless, it creates a conflicting message. On the one hand, they claim to seek good relations with us, yet on the other, they repeatedly blame India for their domestic problems. This is a choice they need to make.”
He highlighted the communal attacks on religious minorities in the neighbouring countries and described how it affects bilateral relations.
“There are two aspects to the problem that our bilateral ties are facing – the first being communal attacks on minorities. What is very troubling for India is the spate of attacks on minorities. It obviously is something that impacts our thinking. It is something we have to speak up about, which we have done,” the EAM said.
Jaishankar added that the second was 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”.
During his meeting with Hossain last week, the EAM said that Bangladesh should not “normalise terrorism”.
In response to Jaishankar’s comments that “there are anti-India remarks from Bangladesh,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday said that they wanted good relations with India. “We have made a clear decision that we want good working relations with India on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocal interest. We have no ambiguity about this,” he said.
“But India also has to decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh. It’s a matter of both sides,” Hossain added.
Pointing out the anti-Bangladesh remarks from India, Touhid said, “He (Jaishankar) complained that there are anti-India remarks from Bangladesh. But there are also anti-Bangladesh remarks from India. An Indian Chief Minister asked to send a peacekeeping force to Bangladesh. We have to try to improve the relationship assuming these things will continue”.
He also criticised ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks during her stay in India, adding her statements are “harmful for relations. She is adding fuel to the fire.”
