India stated on Friday that it wanted Bangladesh to resolve all issues through democratic means by holding inclusive and participatory elections.
鈥業ndia supports a stable, peaceful, inclusive, and progressive Bangladesh, where all issues are resolved democratically through inclusive and participatory elections,鈥� said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly briefing in New Delhi on Friday, according to The Indian Express.
The Indian media also reported that Jaiswal emphasised India鈥檚 position that it was the responsibility of Bangladesh鈥檚 interim government to protect Hindus and other minorities, along with their properties and religious institutions.
鈥楬owever, of the more than 2,374 incidents reported between August 5, 2024, and February 16, 2025, only 1,254 have been verified by the police. Moreover, 98 per cent of these verified incidents were considered 鈥減olitical in nature,鈥濃�� he said.
鈥榃e expect Bangladesh to thoroughly investigate and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson, and violence to justice, without making such distinctions,鈥� Jaiswal added.
India also expressed concerns over Bangladesh's release of certain 鈥榲iolent extremists鈥� and reiterated that it was the responsibility of the interim government to protect Hindus and other minorities, according to the media report.
Jaiswal further commented, 鈥榃e remain concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation, which has been worsened by the release of violent extremists who were sentenced for serious crimes.鈥�
He noted that the security situation had impacted cooperation on development activities with Bangladesh.
鈥楧evelopment cooperation is a priority area in our relations with the people of Bangladesh. However, the recent security situation and longstanding local issues have slowed the implementation of some projects,鈥� he said.
鈥極fficial discussions have therefore focused on rationalising the project portfolio and ensuring the timely execution of mutually agreed projects. Subject to obtaining the committed support and necessary clearances from the Bangladesh side, we plan to move these projects forward,鈥� Jaiswal added.
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