India open to discuss issues with Bangladesh: Jaiswal

India is open to discussing all matters with Bangladesh in a "conducive" atmosphere, said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India's external affairs ministry. He highlighted that there are already established mechanisms between Dhaka and New Delhi to address the full range of bilateral issues.

His comments come ahead of a meeting of the Standing Committee on External Affairs, where former diplomats and experts will deliberate on the "Future of the India-Bangladesh Relationship."

When asked about Bangladesh's participation in trilateral consultations with Pakistan and China on 19 June, Jaiswal said India closely monitors regional developments that could impact its interests and security, reports The Hindu.

He added that India's relationships with other countries are independent but shaped by the broader regional context.

Jaiswal's statement comes just a day before the panel's scheduled discussion, where four experts will brief lawmakers on several topics, including the interim government under Mohammed Yunus, the growing influence of religious extremism, security implications for India stemming from Bangladesh's internal "instability", and the growing strategic ties between Bangladesh and China following the removal of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

The experts are also expected to recommend strategies to address the prevailing public perception in Bangladesh that India supported Hasina's ousted administration rather than aligning with the broader Bangladeshi populace.

Notably, Menon – who was national security adviser of India during the signing of the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh under Prime Minister Modi and Hasina – will be among the speakers.

The panel may also advise lawmakers to work closely with the US, EU, and UK to advocate for a credible electoral process in Bangladesh and to highlight India's strategic need to maintain stability in the northeast, particularly in light of "uncertainties" in Bangladesh.