On the walls of Dhaka University, a slogan captures the political mood: “Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka Dhaka.” The graffiti highlights the question — should it be Delhi [ruling] or Dhaka [ruling]?

The chant, which gained prominence during the July 2024 uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, targeted her government, accusing it of maintaining power with support from India.

With Ms. Hasina’s party, the Awami League, barred from contesting the February 12 election, the slogan and the sentiment behind it remain potent and have now been deployed as both shield and sword on the electoral battlefield.

As Bangladesh heads into a landmark election, anti-India sentiment is reshaping political discourse.

Out of race

With the historically dominant and India-friendly Awami League out of the race, the two main contenders, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, are locked in a fierce contest to weaponise “pro-India” sentiments, using it to discredit rivals before an electorate deeply disillusioned with what many see as decades of excessive Indian influence. Bijoy Talukder, an employee at a Dhaka-based consultancy firm who actively participated in the uprising and is voting for the first time, said the slogan helped unite protesters against the Awami League.

“We believe the party managed to stay in power with India’s all-out support. Now, in this election, major parties are accusing each other of being pro-Indian because they believe this label can still win or lose votes,” he said. “This slogan truly united us during the uprising. It was one of the most powerful chants against Sheikh Hasina.”

Political analysts say that being perceived as “pro-Indian” has become a political liability in Bangladesh.

While parties continue to pledge cordial relations with neighbouring countries, including India, they are simultaneously eager to portray rivals as aligned with New Delhi, calculating that such an image would hurt them among voters.

Dependent on Delhi

Ahsanul Mahbub Jubair, a central committee member of the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by student leaders who spearheaded the uprising, told The Hindu Ms. Hasina’s administration was defined by exceptionally close ties with India across security, trade and transit.

“People believe she subordinated national interests to India. Her fall and subsequent flight to India reinforced this perception. India’s refusal to extradite her, despite the leader receiving a death penalty from a domestic war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh, has turned her into a living symbol of Indian interference,” he said.

“Most people believe India does not want what is best for Bangladesh,” he added.

“Sheikh Hasina stayed in power through three disputed elections with India’s support. Any party that takes decisions against Bangladesh’s interests will now be branded pro-Indian.”

The NCP leader, whose party has formed an electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, alleged that India is now attempting to cultivate ties with the BNP as an alternative to the Awami League. “With the Awami League gone, India wants to fill that vacuum,” he said. “That is why this discourse remains central to the election.”

Anti-Indian sentiment continues to shape campaign rhetoric across the country. Platforms that emerged after the uprising frequently invoke the slogan at rallies, often alongside leaders of major political parties.

The BNP and Jamaat are engaged in an intense contest of nationalist one-upmanship, each accusing the other of inheriting what they call the Awami League’s “Delhi-dependent politics”.

As polling day approaches, Jamaat-e-Islami, historically closer to Pakistan, which long opposed Ms. Hasina’s rule, has repositioned itself as a defender of Bangladeshi sovereignty. Its manifesto emphasises mutual respect and equal dignity in foreign relations, pointedly rejecting any special status for India. Its campaign subtly suggests that a BNP-led government would continue Ms. Hasina’s India-centric foreign policy.

On the other hand, the BNP, traditionally viewed as a centrist party, is treading carefully. Its manifesto promises an independent and balanced foreign policy, while party supporters frequently counter Jamaat’s allegations by highlighting its controversial role during the 1971 Liberation War, when it sided with Pakistan.

Take a page from India

M. Zakaria, an author and political analyst, said that even after the Awami League turned into an abandoned entity in Bangladeshi politics, the practice of blaming each other as pro-Indian remains.

This has turned into common rhetoric among the parties. The core reason behind this is the lack of careful nurturing of the people-to-people contact between the two neighbouring states, he said.

“Ironically, this has now turned into an obsession among Bangladeshi youth, becoming a tool for othering. One group in Bangladesh labels the other as ‘pro-Indian’ to engage in divisive politics,” Mr. Zakariah said. “In India too, we see anyone with opposing political views often being labelled as ‘Pakistani’ or ‘Bangladeshi’ and threatened with expulsion from the country. The phenomenon in Bangladesh is simply a reaction to that”.

Published – February 11, 2026 12:38 am IST

Md Touhid Hossain, adviser for Foreign Affairs of the interim government of Bangladesh. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Shubman Gill’s previous three scores coming into the Champions Trophy read: 87, 60 and 112 (all against England). On Thursday, the 25-year-old continued his purple patch as he smashed his eighth ODI hundred (101 n.o, 129b, 9×4, 2×6) to help India kickstart its Champions Trophy campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

In pursuit of a modest target of 229, Gill showed why he is the top-ranked batter in the format as he expertly shepherded the chase and carried his bat through.

He was aggressive in the PowerPlay and then hunkered down to navigate the tricky middle phase smartly when the spinners operated, ensuring the Men in Blue got its campaign off to a winning start.

The victory, though, was in no small measure set up by the bowlers led by Mohammed Shami (10-0-53-5), who scalped his sixth five-wicket haul to restrict Bangladesh to 228.

On a pitch that was on the slower side, it was imperative to maximise the PowerPlay and openers Rohit Sharma and Gill got India off to a flyer, scoring 69 in the first 10 overs.

After starting tentatively against Mustafizur Rahman, Rohit took the left-arm pacer to the cleaners, smoking him for seven boundaries with some serene shots through the square on the off-side.

Gill was not to be left behind, pulling the fiery Tanzim Hasan for a six and then charging down to loft him over covers.

But Bangladesh got back into the contest through its spinners Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who squeezed the runs dry during the middle-overs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s men had a small opening in the game when India lost three wickets for 22 runs and was in a spot of bother at 144 for four.

However, Gill and K.L. Rahul who reaffirmed his status as the finisher by stroking a measured unbeaten 41 – stitched an unbroken 87-run stand for the fifth wicket to take their side home.

Rescue job

Earlier, it was an innings of two halves for the Tigers, whose top-order just crumbled inside the PowerPlay before Towhid Hridoy (100) and Jaker Ali (68) repaired the damage by forging a masterful 154-run alliance for the sixth wicket.

Electing to bat, Bangladesh got off on the wrong foot, losing two wickets in the first two overs. Things went pear-shaped in the ninth over when Axar Patel struck off consecutive deliveries to remove Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim to leave the Men in Green tottering at 35 for five.

It could have been even worse had Rohit not fumbled a straightforward chance off the very next delivery at first slip, which gave Jaker a reprieve and denied Axar a hat-trick.

With their backs to the wall, Hridoy and Jaker showed great application, looking to bat 50 overs without trying anything extravagant.

Once he crossed 50, Hridoy seamlessly shifted gears, collecting 30 runs off the next 14 deliveries, raining sixes and fours. As he neared his landmark, the 24-year-old started cramping up badly, limping across the pitch, but eventually got there in the penultimate over.

Though his efforts gave something for his side to bowl at, it was never going to be enough against a strong Indian batting line-up.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH

Tanzid Hasan c Rahul b Axar 25 (25b, 4×4), Soumya Sarkar c Rahul b Shami 0 (5b), Najmul Shanto c Kohli b Harshit 0 (2b), Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Gill b Shami 5 (10b, 1×4), Towhid Hridoy c Shami b Harshit 100 (118b, 6×4, 2×6), Mushfiqur Rahim c Rahul b Axar 0 (1b), Jaker Ali c Kohli b Shami 68 (114b, 4×4), Rishad Hossain c Hardik b Harshit 18 (12b, 1×4, 2×6), Tanzim Hasan b Shami 0 (4b), Taskin Ahmed c Shreyas b Shami 3 (6b), Mustafizur Rahman (not out) 0 (2b); Extras (lb-1, w-7, nb-1): 9; Total (in 49.4 overs): 228.

FALL OF WICKETS

1-1 (Sarkar, 0.6 overs), 2-2 (Najmul, 1.4), 3-26 (Mehidy, 6.2), 4-35 (Tanzid, 8.2), 5-35 (Mushfiqur, 8.3), 6-189 (Jaker, 42.4), 7-214 (Rishad, 45.3), 8-215 (Tanzim, 46.2), 9-228 (Taskin, 48.4).

INDIA BOWLING

Shami 10-0-53-5, Harshit 7.4-0-31-3, Axar 9-1-43-2, Hardik 4-0-20-0, Jadeja 9-0-37-0, Kuldeep 10-0-43-0.

INDIA

Rohit Sharma c Rishad b Taskin 41 (36b, 7×4), Shubman Gill (not out) 101 (129b, 9×4, 2×6), Virat Kohli c Sarkar b Rishad 22 (38b, 1×4), Shreyas Iyer c Najmul b Mustafizur 15 (17b, 2×4), Axar Patel c & b Rishad 8 (12b, 1×4), K.L. Rahul (not out) 41 (47b, 1×4, 2×6); Extras (w-3): 3; Total (for four wkts. in 46.3 overs): 231.

FALL OF WICKETS

1-69 (Rohit, 9.5), 2-112 (Kohli, 22.4), 3-133 (Shreyas, 27.4), 4-144 (Axar, 30.1).

BANGLADESH BOWLING

Taskin 9-0-36-1, Mustafizur 9-0-62-1, Tanzim 8.3-0-58-0, Mehidy 10-0-37-0, Rishad 10-0-38-2.

India won by six wickets with 21 balls to spare.

Toss: Bangladesh.

PoM: Gill.

Muscat:

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and BIMSTEC.

“Met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The conversation was focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on BIMSTEC,” the minister said in a post on X.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) includes seven countries: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Bangladesh will be the next chair of the BIMSTEC summit, which will take place in Bangkok from April 2 to 4 this year.

Hossain met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Oman as part of efforts to prevent further strains in bilateral ties.

The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under severe strain after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protest in August last year.

Nobel Peace laureate Mohammad Yunus came to power days after Hasina fled to India.

The relations deteriorated further over attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh.

There had been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh after Hasina’s ouster that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has cancelled a $21 million US taxpayer-funded grant – under former President Joe Biden’s administration – meant to influence “voter turnout in India.” In its announcement, DOGE highlighted that the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget allocated to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.” 

Another $29 million was slated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” – a country that witnessed political turmoil amid allegations of US ‘deep state’ involvement in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The Musk-led department revealed that other taxpayer-funded projects also faced the axe, including:

• $47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia”
• $40 million for a “gender equality and women empowerment hub”
• $32 million to the Prague Civil Society Centre
• $22 million to foster an “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova. 
• $20 million for “fiscal federalism” in Nepal
• $19 million for “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal
• $14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali
• $14 million for “improving public procurement” in Serbia
• $10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
• $9.7 million for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise-driven skills”
• $2.5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa”
• $2.3 million for “strengthening independent voices in Cambodia”
• $2 million to develop “sustainable recycling models” to “increase socio-economic cohesion among marginalised communities of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt”
• $1.5 million for “voter confidence” in Liberia

US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
– $10M for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
– $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills”
– $2.3M for “strengthening…

— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025

The sweeping cancellations, Mr Musk’s department stated, were part of efforts to improve government efficiency and ensure taxpayer dollars were not being spent on “questionable” overseas political activities.

BJP’s “External Interference” Response

The BJP termed the now-cancelled funding “external interference” in India’s electoral process.

“$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya in a statement 

Mr Malviya further alleged “systematic infiltration” of Indian institutions by foreign forces, particularly targeting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros and his alleged network of global influence through his Open Society Foundation.

“Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process,” Mr Malviya claimed.

Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process.

In 2012, under the leadership of S.Y. Quraishi, the Election Commission signed an MoU with The International Foundation for Electoral… https://t.co/PO13Iyroee pic.twitter.com/gdgAQoDbPh

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 16, 2025

He also flagged the controversial 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Election Commission of India and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, an organisation linked to Mr Soros’s Open Society Foundation, which is primarily funded by USAID – the American federal body that oversees foreign aid and is facing massive budget cuts under Donald Trump’s presidency. 

“Ironically, those questioning the transparent and inclusive process of appointing India’s Election Commissioner-a first in our democracy, where previously the Prime Minister alone made the decision-had no hesitation in handing over the entire Election Commission of India to foreign operators,” Mr Malviya added.

According to Mr Malviya, the Congress-led UPA government “systematically enabled the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces opposed to the nation’s interests-those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity.”

The BJP alleges that foreign-backed civil society organisations and NGOs, particularly those linked to Mr Soros, have been working to influence Indian politics. 

The Bangladesh Situation 

The announcement that $29 million was marked for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” comes just days after President Trump addressed allegations of ‘deep state’ involvement in the recent political developments in Bangladesh. Asked during a joint press briefing with PM Modi whether the previous Biden administration had orchestrated a regime change, President Trump denied any such involvement.

“There was no role for our deep state. This is something the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time, for hundreds of years, frankly. I have been reading about it. I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister,” President Trump said.

The response has done little to quell speculation. The ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent rise of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the country’s interim leader have fueled claims of US-backed political manoeuvring.

Since Ms Hasina’s departure, diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated. Delhi has raised concerns about increasing attacks on religious minorities under the new regime.

New Delhi/Washington DC:

The regime change in India’s neighbour Bangladesh which many geopolitical analysts have attributed to the US’ deep state’s alleged work in the shadows grazed US President Donald Trump during his joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC.

A reporter sought the views of President Trump on whether the previous Democratic government under former President Joe Biden carried out a regime change in Bangladesh, and installed Muhammad Yunus as a chief adviser.

President Trump denied the US deep state played any role in the developments in Bangladesh, whose ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina took shelter in India.

“There was no role for our deep state. This is something that the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time, for hundreds of years, frankly I have been reading about it. I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister,” President Trump said.

While the Republican did not directly address the question, speculation is that the response indicated the new Trump administration may not get itself involved in Bangladesh, where alleged radical Islamist elements have been targeting religious minorities including Hindus.

Ties between India and Bangladesh have nosedived after Ms Hasina fled Dhaka in August in the face of a massive anti-government protest.

The interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who returned from the US to work as Bangladesh’s caretaker, continues to draw sharp criticism over not doing enough to stop attacks on minorities by radical Islamists.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said PM Modi shared concerns over the recent developments in Bangladesh with President Trump.

“This was a subject that was discussed between the two leaders. And the Prime Minister shared his views and, indeed, his concerns with regard to recent developments in Bangladesh and how India sees the situation,” the Foreign Secretary said after the two leaders’ joint press briefing.

“We hope that the situation in Bangladesh will also move forward in a direction where we can pursue relations in a constructive and stable way with them. But there are concerns about that situation. And the Prime Minister shared those views with President Trump,” he said in response to a reporter’s question.

PM Modi is in the US for two days. He also met with billionaire businessman Elon Musk.

New Delhi:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last year’s Rs 4,883 crore. The overall budget for the MEA stands at Rs 20,516 crore, with aid to neighbouring and strategic countries remaining a crucial component.

The MEA budget has placed a key emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Rs 4,320 crore – 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio – has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbours for several initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan Retains Top Spot

Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving Rs 2,150 crore in 2025-26. This is an increase from last year’s allocation of Rs 2,068 crore. India remains Bhutan’s primary development partner, with funding directed towards infrastructure, hydropower projects, and economic cooperation.

Maldives Boost Amid Diplomatic Reset

India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore. This comes at a time when Male is attempting to mend ties with New Delhi following tensions over President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance after his electoral win. 

In early 2024, India withdrew its military personnel from the Maldives. Now, with Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon visiting India earlier this month, efforts are underway to restore cooperation. 

Afghanistan’s Aid Reduced

Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from Rs 200 crore last year to Rs 100 crore in 2025-26. This is still a sharp decline from the Rs 207 crore granted two years ago. India has been cautious in its dealings with the Taliban government, limiting its engagement to humanitarian aid and economic cooperation.

Earlier this year, senior diplomat Vikram Misri met with Taliban officials in Dubai, marking the highest-level contact since Kabul’s takeover. Discussions centred around trade and India’s interest in Iran’s Chabahar Port, which serves as a crucial alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan.

Despite these engagements, India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban government. 

Myanmar Sees Increased Aid

Myanmar’s allocation increased from Rs 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to Rs 350 crore for 2025-26 amid ongoing turmoil in the country, where ethnic armed groups have taken control of vast territories, including areas bordering India’s northeastern states.

The Centre recently tightened the rules for the movement of people across the India-Myanmar border. The new rules restrict movement from 16 km under the free movement regime (FMR) to 10 km, on either side.

Other Key Allocations

India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at Rs 700 crore. The allocation for Sri Lanka saw an increase from Rs 245 crore to Rs 300 crore as the crisis-hit southern neighbour recovers from an economic meltdown.

Aid to Dhaka remains unchanged at Rs 120 crore amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year. Ms Hasina has been granted asylum in India, with the Muhammad Yunus-led government demanding her return.

Aid to African nations rose to Rs 225 crore from Rs 200 crore last year. The African Union joined the G20 in 2023 when India hosted the summit.

Latin America’s allocation has been increased from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore. Last year, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita embarked on a nine-day official visit to Mexico, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, underscoring the deepening ties between India, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at Rs 100 crore. The port project serves as a vital trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Disaster Relief allocation saw a massive increase from Rs 10 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 64 crore this year. India has consistently been one of the first to respond to global disaster relief initiatives. India was among the early responders when Turkey witnessed devastating earthquakes in 2023. India also sent relief to flood-hit countries like Laos and Vietnam in 2024. 

Beyond direct financial aid, India is also expanding its soft power outreach. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has received Rs 351 crore, up from Rs 331 crore last year. Support for International Training Programs stands at Rs 1,247 crore.

Kolkata:

Amid the heightened tension along the International Border due to the ongoing situation in the neighbouring country, the Border Security Force (BSF) arranged for a woman from Bangladesh to catch a last glimpse of her brother, who lived in India, after his death.

The incident is from the Mustafapur Border Outpost (BOP) in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district where personnel of the 67 Battalion of the BSF are posted.

“Despite being on high alert, the BSF displayed its humane face by granting permission to the family. During the day, the panchayat member from Gangulai, a village close to the India-Bangladesh Border in Bagdah, North 24-Parganas, informed the company commander of Mustafapur BOP about the demise of one Abdul Khalid Mandal. He was a resident of Gangulai,” said NK Pandey, Director Inspector General (DIG) and Spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF.

“The panchayat member pleaded that Mandal’s sister, a resident of Sardar Baripota, a border village on the Bangladesh side, wished to see her brother for the last time. Realising the emotional significance of this request, the company commander immediately got in touch with his counterpart in Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to arrange for the woman and her family members to be brought to the zero-line of the International Border Barrier (IBBR),” the BSF DIG added.

Mandal’s bier was carried to the zero-line from Gangulia village under the strict vigil of the BSF jawans. It was placed at the zero-line before the BGB escorted the woman and her family to the spot.

The final meeting between brother and sister was emotionally charged, highlighting the connection that continues to exist between people on both sides of the IBBR.

Mandal’s sister lived in India before getting married to a Bangladeshi national and moving to her matrimonial home across the border.

“After the short meeting that was so important for the family, Mandal’s mortal remains were carried back to his village for the final rites. Family members expressed their gratitude to the BSF and BGB for arranging the last meeting between the siblings,” Pandey said.

“BSF jawans not only toil day and night to guard the country’s borders, but are also humane and kind, prepared to cater to the social needs of people living along the International Border,” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

India and Bangladesh have maintained their ties despite “turbulent changes” and changes in the “political wind”  in the country, said India’s High Commissioner to Dhaka, referring to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 and the violence that followed.

In his first such major speech to a public audience since the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus took over, the envoy said that bilateral projects on transport and energy, including this week’s inauguration of a power supply line from Nepal to Bangladesh via India, as well as the continuation of trade in the past few months demonstrated how inter-linked the two countries are, and that ties cannot be reduced “to a single issue”.

The comments by High Commissioner Pranay Verma came on a day Mr. Yunus said in an address to the nation to mark 100 days in government that he would ask India to “send back” Ms. Hasina, who has been living there, a demand that could become a sore point between Delhi and Dhaka in the future.  

“The fact that our trade and economic ties, our transport and energy connectivity, and our people-to-people engagements have sustained a positive momentum, despite the turbulent changes in Bangladesh, shows that our relations are truly multifaceted, and cannot be reduced to a single agenda or issue,” Mr. Verma said, in an address to the Bay of Bengal Conference organised by the Centre for Governance Studies here on Sunday.

‘Zero-tolerance on terrorism’

Referring to Bangladesh’s decision to shut down terror camps in 2009, and curb anti-India activities in the past two decades, Mr. Verma said that the country’s “zero-tolerance on terrorism” proved vital for bilateral cooperation and prosperity. “It will remain an important factor in the future development of our two countries, our region and our relationship.” 

He added that a “strong and prosperous” Bangladesh is vital for India and vice versa. 

The comments by the High Commissioner are significant as India and Bangladesh have seen a strain in ties after Ms. Hasina’s move to India as well as amid India’s concerns over the targeting of minorities including the 13.1 million-strong Hindu community in the country. Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs once again urged the Yunus government to take “strong measures” to ensure the safety of Hindus, after reports of a number of attacks on the homes of the minority community in Chittagong.

The issue was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a call with Mr. Yunus in August. While Mr. Yunus attended a virtual summit of the Global South hosted by PM Modi virtually, the two leaders have not met so far, and missed being in New York on the same days during the UN meet in September. Plans to meet at the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand had to be shelved due to a change in government there, and the meeting may only take place in April 2025, sources said. However, the sources pointed to a possible visit by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka in the near future. 

‘Irritants’ no deterrent

“There are irritants but they have not restricted the overall forward movement in our relations,” Mr. Verma said in his speech, adding that the inter-dependence between both countries and mutual benefit “will keep reasserting itself again and again, regardless of changes in the political wind”.

Mr. Verma had also been present during an address by Mr. Yunus at the conference on Saturday, where he called for the region and the international community to engage with the “New Bangladesh”. In his speech, Mr. Verma said Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia and the fifth largest in the world, and that India had given Bangladesh “duty-free, quota-free access” for more than a decade under the regional SAFTA agreement.

In a television address on Sunday, Mr. Yunus made it clear that his government would continue to pursue the extradition of Ms. Hasina to Bangladesh to stand trial in a number of cases related to police crackdown on student protesters over two months, which he said had resulted in the deaths of 1, 500 civilians, and about 20,000 being injured. He said he had also discussed the issue with the International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan.

“After the July-August revolution, we inherited a country in chaos. Law enforcement forces placed in front of the people to maintain the autocratic rule,” Mr. Yunus said, adding, “We will also ask India to send back the fallen dictator Sheikh Hasina.”

India has thus far maintained that Ms. Hasina had come to India on “a short notice” in August given the security situation in the country. Bangladesh has thus far not formally requested her extradition.

(The correspondent was invited to Dhaka to attend the Bay of Bengal Conference)

New Delhi:

Amid reports of tension in Bangladesh’s Chittagong following provocative social media posts, India on Thursday urged Dhaka to take action against “extremist” elements and ensure the safety of the country’s Hindu community.

During a weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the alleged attack on the members of the Hindu community in Chittagong.

The tension was the result of “incendiary posts” on social media, he said.

“We have seen many videos circulating on social media. It is condemnable,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA spokesperson underlined that it is Dhaka’s “special responsibility” that the minorities be given security.

“In Chittagong, incendiary posts were made on social media. Those provocative things were related to the Hindu community. A disturbance happened and some members of the Hindu community were threatened and many properties were looted,” he said.

“Extremist elements” are behind this and such things can lead to an increase in communal tension, Jaiswal told reporters.

He also said, “It is our request to the government there to control and take action against these elements and take strong measures to ensure the safety of people of the Hindu and other minority communities.” India on October 12 said it had noted with “serious concern” the reported attack on a Puja mandap and theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship.

To a query on a statement posted on the Awami League’s verified social media handles in which Sheikh Hasina congratulated President-elect Donald Trump, with the words ‘prime minister’ in parenthesis affixed before her name, Jaiswal said, “What I have said before, you consider that our position.” “We have said from this place before that she is a former prime minister of Bangladesh, so that is where it stands,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Hasina fled to India from Bangladesh on August 5 after being ousted from power following an unprecedented anti-government resistance.

To a query on a workshop being organised by Delhi-based think-tank Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), he shared details and the context of the event.

“As an important neighbouring country of India, developments in Myanmar are of interest to us and other stakeholders, including the academic community, think tanks and our business community,” Jaiswal said.

On November 5-6, one particular workshop on Indian experience in constitutionalism and federalism was held, where “they invited stakeholders from various segments of the Myanmar society”, he said.

“It is our understanding that such interactions, we hope, will contribute to deliberations on developing a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned solution to address the country’s current challenges,” the MEA spokesperson said.

“India remains on its part, a steadfast supporter of democracy, peace and stability in Myanmar,” he added.

Jaiswal was also asked about the way forward after the recent disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops at two friction points in eastern Ladakh.

“Disengagement has moved forward, patrolling has commenced at both Depsang and Demchok. Patrolling has started at places as per the agreement. Some reports have come that there were some roadblocks in it. But those reports are not correct. I think, the (Indian) Army has also issued a clarification on this, that report is not correct,” he said.

On India-US economic ties and the existing issues in it, Jaiswal said, “Talks are going on between the two countries and whatever issues are there in economic ties, both countries need to think deeply and find agreements and work will be done on it.” “We would want to have talks on the issues, so our ties become stronger,” Jaiswal added.

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