India wants mutually-beneficial cooperation with Bangladesh: Indian foreign secy

India has reiterated its desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh following the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held between the two countries today (9 December).

Speaking at a media briefing after the meeting today (9 December), Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "We continue to see in the future this relationship as people-centric and people-oriented; one that has the benefits of all people as its central motivational force."

"It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy development cooperation, consular and cultural cooperation," he added.

"There is no reason why this mutually-beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver the interests of both our people," he said.

"And therefore, I have underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh."

He also said both countries had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues in Bangladesh and "I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties." 

"Since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has been contact between our leadership. The prime minister [of India] was the first to greet the chief adviser [Muhammad Yunus] on his assumption of office," he said at another briefing earlier.

The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation and the chief adviser also accepted the Indian prime minister's invitation to speak at the third Voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August this year, he said, adding that since then, the Indian external affairs minister and the Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser have also been in touch. 

They met each other on the sidelines of the UN General assembly in New York in September this year, he said, adding, "And my visit follows those interactions and is the first foreign signature level structured engagement between the two sides."

Misri said they were now looking for a forward-moving relationship. "We expect overall a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward looking and constructive direction."

"Today's discussions have allowed both of us to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," he said. 

The Indian foreign secretary said following a frank, constructive exchange of views, India desired a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. 

Earlier, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka in an Indian Air Force aircraft around 8:30am today (9 December).

This is the first visit of a secretary-level Indian government official since the fall of the Awami League government and the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who has been staying in India since 5 August.

Bangladesh and India have been embroiled in a bitter war of words, with the former emphasising that relations between the two going forward will have to take the changed reality since 5 August into consideration.

With deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina still holed up in India and Indian media carrying out a relentless disinformation campaign against Bangladesh, things have come to a head in recent weeks.