Following his maiden visit to Bangladesh on December 9, the Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that New Delhi does not endorse statements made by Sheikh Hasina criticizing the interim government in Bangladesh.
Indian daily The Hindu reports that while briefing the parliamentary body, headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, on Wednesday, Misri described Hasina's remarks as a "pinprick" in India-Bangladesh relations.
The parliamentary body asked the Foreign Secretary to inform about Sheikh Hasina's status while she is staying in Delhi since she fled Bangladesh after the fall of her Awami League government in the wake of July uprising, led by students.
The diplomat emphasized that India's relationship with Bangladesh extended beyond any "single political party or government", focusing instead on fostering ties with the Bangladeshi people.
He said Hasina's comments had been made using private communication channels and clarified that the Indian government had not facilitated her political activities on Indian soil.
Misri added that this reflected India's policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.
He informed the committee that during his visit to Dhaka earlier this week, he conveyed to the interim government that India's engagement with Bangladesh transcended political affiliations, underscoring the importance of relations with the Bangladeshi populace and engaging with the government of the day.
Misri briefed the committee a day after returning from Dhaka, where he had conveyed Delhi's concerns about "regrettable incidents" over minorities in Bangladesh.
Describing Bangladesh as India's largest partner in trade and connectivity within South Asia, he highlighted the progress made in recent years, including the development of rail links, bus services and inland waterways.
However, he mentioned that passenger rail services between the two countries remained "suspended" since July.
Expressing India's concerns, Misri emphasized the lack of acknowledgement of alleged violence against minority communities but he welcomed reports that Bangladeshi authorities had arrested 88 individuals linked to such violence following the fall of the Hasina regime.
He also reported the improvement in bilateral relations after his visit, The Hindu reported quoting sources familiar with the matter.
Misri said both sides had shared their concerns on different issues.
During his visit, Misri met Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. He called on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Misri told the parliamentary committee that he had stressed the importance of a "democratic, peaceful, stable and inclusive" Bangladesh.
The Indian foreign secretary noted that the issue of reviewing bilateral treaties had not come up in his discussions with Dr. Yunus.
