Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with India, emphasizing respect and shared interests as the foundation of their ties. This statement, made by Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Monday, comes in response to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent remarks about anti-India rhetoric emerging from Bangladesh.
Hossain highlighted that Bangladesh maintains a clear and consistent stance on its relationship with India, stressing that the nature of bilateral ties is a shared concern. He stated that while Bangladesh will determine its foreign policy independently, India must also decide what kind of relationship it envisions with Bangladesh.
Regarding concerns raised by India over anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, Hossain acknowledged that diplomatic relationships involve mutual considerations but maintained that Dhaka is committed to strengthening ties with New Delhi. He also criticized statements made by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India, suggesting that such remarks had strained relations between the two nations.
On the issue of minority rights, Hossain dismissed concerns raised by India, asserting that the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh is an internal matter. He argued that just as India manages its minority affairs independently, Bangladesh should be allowed to do the same. “Minorities in Bangladesh are citizens with equal rights, and the government is responsible for ensuring their well-being,” he stated, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
India has also voiced its concerns over terrorism and minority rights at various forums. During the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Jaishankar reiterated that Bangladesh must not “normalize terrorism.” Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized an exhibition and panel discussion titled The Never-Ending Persecution of Minorities in Bangladesh, shedding light on violence and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities in the country. The event was attended by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, along with diplomats, journalists, and security analysts. The exhibition, curated by the Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism (FACT), displayed evidence of human rights violations, including forced displacements and targeted attacks on minority communities such as Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Ahmadiyya Muslims.
Despite these ongoing concerns, Bangladesh continues to emphasize its commitment to a positive and cooperative relationship with India. “Our stance is clear—we seek good working relations with India based on mutual respect and reciprocal interest,” Hossain reiterated, signaling Dhaka’s intent to maintain diplomatic engagement while addressing internal matters independently.
