Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit Bangladesh on Dec 9 amid rising tensions and violence against Hindu minorities

Foreign Secy Vikram Misri to visit Bangladesh on Dec 9

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Bangladesh on December 9. The visit comes against the backdrop of escalating violence against the Hindu minority community and growing tensions between India and the interim government in Dhaka, led by Muhammad Yunus.

Structured dialogue amid crisis

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the visit, stating, “Foreign Secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on December 9, where he will meet his counterpart and participate in several other meetings. Foreign Office consultations led by the Foreign Secretary are a structured engagement between India and Bangladesh. We look forward to this meeting,” Jaiswal said, as per ANI.

Political instability in Bangladesh

The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has reportedly faced increasing atrocities since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has drawn criticism for its handling of minority rights and law enforcement.

Tensions between India and the Yunus administration further intensified after Bangladesh “urgently” recalled key diplomatic officials from its high commissions in Agartala and Kolkata. According to a report by Prothom Alo, acting Deputy High Commissioner Shikdar Md Ashrafur Rahman and Assistant High Commissioner Arifur Rahman were instructed to return to Dhaka amid concerns over rising unrest.

Violence against Hindus and arrest of ISKCON priest

Safety concerns for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority escalated after reports of mob attacks in the wake of political instability. The arrest of prominent ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges has heightened tensions further.

The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 31, accusing Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag during a Hindu community rally. Chinmoy Das, associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was taken into custody on November 25. A court denied his bail and deferred the hearing on his bail petition to January 2, 2025.

Hopes for diplomatic engagement

Despite the challenges, both sides appear optimistic about the upcoming diplomatic discussions. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, said, “We look forward to the meeting between the two Foreign Secretaries. These discussions will address issues of mutual interest, and we hope they will foster understanding.”

A crucial visit

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit underscores the critical importance of bilateral dialogue amid the volatile situation in Bangladesh. The outcomes of these discussions will be closely watched as both nations navigate a period of heightened diplomatic and humanitarian concern.

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