External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has strongly criticized leaders of Bangladesh's interim government for making what he termed as “absolutely ridiculous” accusations against India. His remarks come just days after he met Touhid Hassan, Bangladesh's caretaker Foreign Minister, in Oman amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Speaking at a public function in New Delhi, Jaishankar questioned the inconsistency in Bangladesh’s approach toward India. “If every day, someone in the interim government stands up and blames India for everything…some of those things, if you look at the reports, are absolutely ridiculous. You cannot, on the one hand, say that ‘I would now like to have good relations with you,’ but wake up every morning and blame you for everything that goes wrong,” he said, urging Dhaka to "make up their minds" on the nature of its relationship with India.
Rising Tensions Over Minority Attacks & Sheikh Hasina's Extradition
Jaishankar highlighted two major concerns affecting India-Bangladesh bilateral ties:
- Communal Attacks on Minorities – Expressing deep concern, Jaishankar pointed out the surge in attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, stating, “What is very concerning for us is the spate of attacks on minorities. It obviously impacts our thinking. It is something we have to speak up about, which we have done.”India has repeatedly raised the issue with Dhaka, especially following the August 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi after mass protests against her administration. The violence against Hindus intensified in the wake of her removal.
- Extradition Demand for Sheikh Hasina – In response, Bangladesh has demanded that India extradite Sheikh Hasina to stand trial for alleged “mass genocide” during her tenure. The caretaker government has accused her of running an "authoritarian" and "India-leaning" regime and suppressing opposition through violent crackdowns.
