Dhaka: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday for a day-long visit and held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin. This visit comes amid strained bilateral relations following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
Misri flew into Dhaka earlier in the day aboard an Indian Air Force jet, marking the first high-level visit from New Delhi since Hasina’s 15-year rule was ended by a massive uprising. A senior Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official and Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma greeted Misri at the airport.
After his arrival, Misri engaged in talks with Uddin and is also scheduled to meet Mohammad Touhid Hossain, Bangladesh’s de facto foreign minister. Additionally, he will pay a courtesy visit to Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.
Misri’s visit comes amidst growing tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka, particularly over reports of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh following Hasina’s removal from power.
The once-close ties between India and Bangladesh were severely strained after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country amid a massive anti-government protest in August. Nobel Peace laureate Yunus assumed power shortly after Hasina sought refuge in India.
Relations have worsened in recent weeks due to increasing attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. There has been a surge in violence against Hindus and other minorities, along with attacks on temples in Bangladesh, raising serious concerns in New Delhi.
