"Foreign Secretary was able to give us a thorough briefing": Shashi Tharoor on External Affairs Committee meeting on Bangladesh
Dec 11, 2024
New Delhi [India], December 11 : After the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs concluded, Congress MP and Committee Chairman Shashi Tharoor stated that several questions were raised, and the Foreign Secretary, who had recently returned from Bangladesh, provided a comprehensive briefing.
Tharoor remarked, "We had an excellent briefing on Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary, as you know, returned only yesterday from there (Bangladesh) and was able to provide a very thorough briefing. All the important questions you can imagine were asked by the MPs. There was a good turnout of 20-21 MPs. A lot of questions were asked, and the Foreign Secretary answered comprehensively and candidly. We will, in any case, be reporting to Parliament on the subject as it is an official topic of the committee."
During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the committee on the subject, "Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship."
The Foreign Secretary, who visited Bangladesh, had earlier told reporters in Dhaka that he held frank, candid, and constructive discussions with his counterparts in the neighbouring country. Misri stated that he covered the entire spectrum of issues in the "extremely important bilateral relationship."
While in Bangladesh, Misri met Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, on Monday. Yunus described the relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi as "very solid" and "close," according to a statement released by his office.
The Foreign Secretary conveyed that New Delhi aims to enhance its engagements with Dhaka and make "joint and concerted efforts" to strengthen ties between the two neighbours.
According to a statement from the Chief Advisor's office, discussions also covered issues concerning minorities, Sheikh Hasina's stay in India, and regional cooperation.
In recent months, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. Reports have included incidents of arson, looting of minority homes, and the vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.
The arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 led to protests. India, on November 26, expressed deep concern over the arrest and denial of bail to Das, who is also the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.
