Dhaka: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning to engage in discussions on India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, according to officials. This marks the first high-level official visit since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed power in Bangladesh.
The visit coincides with reports of rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh, including the recent arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong. The two nations' foreign secretaries are set to participate in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism, focusing on a broad range of bilateral issues.
On December 4, Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, confirmed the planned talks, emphasizing their focus on mutual interests. Earlier, in September, Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they agreed to maintain strong ties and hold the FOC.
Meanwhile, minority communities in Bangladesh continue to face threats. On December 6, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Dhor village near Dhaka, was allegedly set ablaze. Temple supervisor Babul Ghosh reported that unidentified attackers doused the idols with petrol and fled upon hearing his approach. Ghosh has filed a complaint, alleging the attack had deeper motives beyond desecration.
In another concerning development, spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das remains in custody on sedition charges. The Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladeshi interim government to uphold his legal rights and ensure a fair trial. Das, affiliated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested on November 25 following an October complaint by a local politician, accusing him of disrespecting the national flag during a Hindu community rally. A Bangladeshi court has scheduled the next hearing for January 2, 2025.
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by minorities in Bangladesh and underscore the importance of India-Bangladesh dialogue during Misri’s visit.