Relations with India are in a phase of rebuilding: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh's ties with India are currently undergoing a readjustment. He said, "Frankly, the close relationship India shared with the previous Bangladeshi government is no longer the same. Therefore, we can describe this period as a phase of readjustment."

He made these comments on Thursday afternoon (June 26) while answering questions from reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the end of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule through a popular movement, tensions have existed between India and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

The interim government accused the Awami League government of suppressing the student and people’s movement and considered it a ‘genocide.’ It also initiated moves to try Sheikh Hasina and others at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Allegations of enforced disappearances and killings have been made against Sheikh Hasina’s government, along with accusations of ‘genocide’ at Shahbagh. Several arrest warrants have been issued in different cases against her.

The interim government sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, requesting Sheikh Hasina’s extradition under an existing agreement. However, India has yet to respond.

The Yunus government accused Sheikh Hasina, who was based in Delhi, of attempting to destabilize Bangladesh. It also accused the Indian media of spreading false and misleading information.

Meanwhile, India has raised concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and has repeatedly called for steps to protect them.

In addition to exchanging statements on various matters, both countries have issued diplomatic summons and counter-summons over border issues and comments made by Sheikh Hasina. India has expressed its desire to see an inclusive election held in Bangladesh.

In April, during the BIMSTEC conference in Bangkok, interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Despite ongoing tensions, in May, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry imposed a ban on the import of seven types of goods from Bangladesh through land routes.

Recently, India has been deporting Bengali-speaking individuals back to Bangladesh, which led Dhaka to send a letter of concern to New Delhi. India, however, maintains that it is simply returning Bangladeshis who are residing illegally within its borders.