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India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has responded to accusations made by Bangladesh’s interim government, calling them “absolutely ridiculous.” The comments came after Jaishankar met with Touhid Hassan, the foreign affairs advisor of Bangladesh's caretaker government, in Oman. This meeting took place as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
Jaishankar criticized the Bangladesh government for blaming India every day, even while claiming they want to improve relations. He said that it is difficult to build a relationship when one side constantly blames the other. He urged Bangladesh to decide what kind of relationship it truly wants with India.
Issues Affecting India-Bangladesh Relations
Jaishankar also highlighted two major issues affecting the relationship between the two countries.
The first issue is the rising attacks on minority communities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. India has raised this concern several times, but Bangladesh downplays the severity of these attacks. Jaishankar stated that India cannot ignore such issues and must speak up about them.
The second issue is Bangladesh’s internal politics. Jaishankar made it clear that while India respects Bangladesh’s domestic matters, it does not appreciate the hostile comments made by Bangladesh towards India. He stated that India wants peace and stability but cannot tolerate constant criticism.
What’s Next for India-Bangladesh Relations?
Jaishankar’s comments show that India is frustrated with the ongoing strain in relations. Bangladesh has been facing political turmoil, and its interim government has been critical of India in recent months. However, Jaishankar made it clear that India still values its relationship with Bangladesh and hopes for better ties in the future.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Touhid Hassan in Oman was the first high-level discussion since Sheikh Hasina’s exit from power. It remains to be seen how both countries will address these issues and work towards improving their relationship.
