India and Bangladesh Address Rising Tensions in Bilateral Talks.

The foreign secretaries of India and Bangladesh met on December 9, Monday in Dhaka to address strained bilateral relations, including rising tensions following the exile of former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina to India in August.

Relations between India and Bangladesh were facing a significant strain as protests and counter-protests were erupting over the treatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The tensions began with the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk accused of sedition after a protest advocating for minority rights. His detention sparked outrage among Hindu organizations in India, leading to widespread demonstrations and heated rhetoric.

Key issues discussed in the talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Bangladeshi official Mohammad Jashim Uddin included attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and an assault on a Bangladeshi diplomatic office in India. Misri reiterated India's support for a stable and inclusive Bangladesh and expressed concern for minority safety. However, Uddin stated that religious matters are Bangladesh’s internal affairs and criticized external interference.

India stopped issuing most visas to Bangladeshis, except for urgent medical cases, and many Indian workers left Bangladesh due to security concerns.

Despite these tensions, Misri is set to meet Bangladeshi interim leaders to maintain diplomatic dialogue before returning to New Delhi. Both sides face challenges in restoring trust and cooperation.