Foreign Secys meet: Delhi flags plight of minorities, Dhaka says internal issue

● India calls for 'constructive' ties, says attacks 'regrettable'

- SHUBHAJIT ROY

IN THE FIRST high-level visit by India since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August, foreign secretary Vikram Misri met his Bangladesh counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, in Dhaka on Monday and conveyed "India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities". India also flagged "some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties".

Referring to the alleged incidents against minorities as "propaganda... false and misleading facts", Bangladesh's foreign secretary, on his part, responded that "other countries" should refrain from commenting on Dhaka's "internal matter".

Misri, who also called on the Bangladesh Interim government chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, and foreign affairs adviser, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, underlined India's support for a "democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive" Bangladesh. He conveyed India's willingness to build a "positive and constructive relationship" based on "mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests".

Speaking to reporters, Jashim Uddin said people are free to practice any religion in Bangladesh. "We have also conveyed that this is our internal matter, and other countries should not comment. Bangladesh does not comment on internal issues of other countries, and others should also reciprocate that," he said. He also flagged the incidents of border firing leading to deaths, calling it "one life is too many".