India continues to monitor attacks on minorities in Bangladesh: Indian State minister for External Affairs
"The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh,” the minister said.
India continues to monitor reports of incidents of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh, including on their homes, properties, businesses and places of worship, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has told the upper House of Indian parliament.
Replying to a question by CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha yesterday (29 January), he said India has consistently raised the matter of safety and security of the minorities with the authorities in Bangladesh, at both political and diplomatic levels on several occasions.
The issue was raised by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on 4 April 2025 and by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his meeting with Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain on 16 February last year, Singh said.
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The issue has also been discussed during relevant discussions with other foreign interlocutors, he added.
According to Singh, "it is the expectation of the government of India that the interim government of Bangladesh will discharge its responsibilities by thoroughly investigating these incidents and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence against minorities to justice without excuses."
"The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh," the minister said.
Brittas asked four questions whether the Indian government has taken cognisance of reports of attacks, killings, arson and intimidation targeting minorities in Bangladesh and the deterioration of law and order; the number and details of formal representations made by India to the government of Bangladesh on protection of minorities during the last two years; whether these concerns were raised at the political or diplomatic level and Bangladesh's response thereto and whether India proposes to seek concrete assurances or international monitoring to ensure the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
