Dhaka is likely to raise the issue of extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation scheduled for today in the capital amid a tension between the two neighbours over the Hindu minority issues.
Besides, the long-pending issues like water sharing treaty for Teesta and other common rivers, killing of Bangladeshi civilians by Indian Border Security Force, issuance of Indian visas and the connectivity would also be discussed during the meeting to be held at the Foreign Service Academy, said officials concerned.聽
Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today to lead his side in the routine meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin, according to the officials.
鈥楾his kind of face-to-face meeting is crucial in overcoming any deadlock in communication although the foreign secretary-level meeting is a routine matter,鈥� said foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain at a discussion in the city on Sunday.
He hoped that the two foreign secretaries would have a fruitful discussion.聽
The FOC is taking place days after Bangladesh shut its mission at Agartala in India on security ground on December 3 just a day after it came under attack by a group of Indian protesters during a violent demonstration.
Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was also summoned by the foreign ministry in Dhaka over the 鈥榟einous attack鈥� on its mission in Agartala, capital of Tripura state.聽
India has been witnessing widespread protests over the arrest and detention of a Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in Chattogram on November 25.聽
鈥業ndian foreign secretary Vikram Misri is coming to Dhaka tomorrow. We hope that his visit would help resolve ongoing tension between the two countries,鈥� chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary Shafiqul
Alam told reporters at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday.
Describing Bangladesh鈥檚 relation with India as multifaceted, he said that it would be better in coming days.
鈥榃e want that our relation with India would be based on fairness, equality and dignity,鈥� Shafiqul said, responding to a question.
Officials said that Dhaka would raise the issue of extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India for shelter amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5.
The last FOC was held in Delhi in November, 2023.
After a diplomatic briefing at state guest house Padma earlier on December 2, foreign adviser Touhid Hossain said that the interim government wanted a 鈥榥ormal and good relation鈥� with New Delhi while maintaining mutual interests of both nations.聽
He said that Dhaka鈥檚 relation with New Delhi before the August 5 situation was not the same since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India bringing an end to her over 15-year autocratic rule.
