Dhaka/New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said he had underlined during talks in Dhaka today India’s desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh, and had also discussed “certain recent developments and issues” and conveyed India’s concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.
In comments to the media in Dhaka after the Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jasim Uddin, FS Misri said that he had frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all his interlocutors in Dhaka and emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and a mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh.
Misri said he had also discussed “some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties” and added ”We expect overall a constructive approach to these issues by the Bangladeshi authorities and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking and constructive direction.”
He said that India has always seen the relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented one, which is reflected in the developmental projects executed by India. Misri said the two sides have a mutually beneficial engagement in the field of trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, and development cooperation and consular cooperation and cultural cooperation.
“There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interests of both our peoples.”
FS Misri added that “Since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has of course been contact between their leaderships” and said Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office.
UNI RN