DHAKA: Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian high commissioner Pranay Verma to express “concerns” about the breach of security at its assistant high commission in Agartala on Monday by a group protesting against the arrests of Hindu monks.
Verma, in turn, upheld the importance of a broader, multi-dimensional relationship between the two nations, stressing such ties can’t be “reduced to a single issue”.
Both sides signalled their intent to look beyond the unease in ties over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh since the regime change in Aug by reiterating their desire for a friendly relationship.
After Verma’s meeting with Bangladeshi acting foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah, the former expressed India’s commitment to building a “constant, stable, and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh, noting the interdependencies between the two countries. He stressed India’s keenness to work with its neighbour to fulfill “shared aspirations” in the fields of peace, security and development.
Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam affirmed Dhaka’s desire for good relations with New Delhi. He, however, added that “we believe that such good relations must be based on justice and equity”.
Bangladesh govt expressed “deep resentment” over the violent protests and attack on its diplomatic mission by Hindu Sangharsh Samity group in Agartala .
Bangladeshi foreign ministry condemned the attack and alleged desecration of Bangladesh’s national flag. “We have conveyed our concerns to India, and our foreign affairs ministry is taking appropriate diplomatic actions,” said Alam.