India seeks strong ties with Bangladesh: Rajnath Singh
India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with Bangladesh and stated that India always aims for strong ties with its neighbors.
In an exclusive interview with the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) on Monday, Singh highlighted India’s longstanding approach to regional diplomacy.
'We consistently work toward nurturing cordial relations with our neighbors. As former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said, ‘We can change our friends, but not our neighbors.’ In that spirit, we remain committed to building strong ties with Bangladesh,' Singh stated.
His comments come at a time of significant political transition in Bangladesh. On August 5, the Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, stepped down following widespread student-led demonstrations. In the wake of this, an interim administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. India has since voiced its concern over the law and order situation in the neighboring country.
During a regular press briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed the importance of a stable and peaceful Bangladesh.
'We stand in support of a Bangladesh that is stable, peaceful, inclusive, and progressive, where challenges are addressed through democratic processes and participatory elections,' Jaiswal said.
India has also raised concerns over the potential consequences of releasing individuals convicted of serious crimes and involvement in extremist activities, warning that such actions could lead to further instability.
Additionally, India has expressed alarm over incidents of violence targeting Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh.
In a recent diplomatic engagement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Tawhid Hossain in Oman. During the meeting, Jaishankar reportedly emphasized that extremism and terrorism should not be normalized in Bangladesh.
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