Page 29 - Bangladesh

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Bangladesh amid frosty ties

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is in Dhaka for a one-day visit to discuss key issues with Bangladeshi officials. What's on the agenda? Watch the video to find out.

Foreign secretaries meet: India raises concern over minorities in B'desh

India on Monday expressed concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and its desire for a "positive, constructive and mutually beneficial" relationship with the neighbour as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held high-level talks with his counterpart in Dhaka. In the first high-level visit by an Indian official since August 5 when prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled to India, Misri said he had a "frank, candid and constructive exchange of views" with Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin here. "I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties," Misri told reporters. "I emphasized that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh," he said. Misri said their talks allowed both sides to take stock of bilateral relations. "We have always seen in the past, and we continue to

Mass Hindu migration from B'desh unlikely at present: Abhijit Banerjee

The current and evolving situation in Bangladesh is unlikely to trigger a fresh round of exodus of minority Hindus into India, Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee said. Historically, the academic explained, migration is mainly driven by social networks and economic opportunities, rather than persecution, even in the context of the crisis faced by minorities in Bangladesh. Speaking exclusively to PTI during his recent visit to the city to participate in a curtain-raiser event of the 16th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, where his latest title Chhaunk: On Food, Economics and Society' was launched, Banerjee said he felt India's "explicit political preference for Hindu migrants from Bangladesh" is what prompted the population to leave their homeland in the past, rather than the attacks on the community. "People always leave for another country where they have their families or to a richer nation where the economic opportunities are higher," the Nobel laureate said

Will we have lollypop? Mamata slams 'occupy' claim of Bangladeshi politicos

Taking a dig at a section of Bangladeshi politicians, who said the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wondered whether Indians "would have lollipop" when external forces would try to occupy Indian lands. Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, she urged people to remain calm and not get provoked by statements made in Bangladesh, stating that West Bengal will always stand by any decision taken by the Centre. Mocking some Bangladeshi leaders, who have made provocative statements recently, she said, "Stay calm and healthy and have peace of mind." A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently said in a public meeting in Dhaka that the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Asking people of West Bengal to remain calm and not get swayed by provocative statements made by some people in Bangladesh, she said, "In our state, even imams have condemned the comments and attacks on minorities in ..

Protest rally held in J-K's Samba against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

People from different faiths held a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Monday to protest the attacks on Hindus and their temples in Bangladesh and called on the Centre to intervene. Carrying the Tricolour, religious flags and placards, members of Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and MLA Surjeet Singh Salathia took part in the rally. They urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to ensure the safety of Hindus, a minority in Bangladesh. "The civil society took out a protest rally against violent attacks on Hindus and their temples. People from various communities, including Hindu, Sikh and Jain, participated in the protest against Bangladesh for what is happening there," said a protester Suraj Singh. He said the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are increasing day by day while the world remains a mute spectator. "We cannot tolerate such mayhem against the community there. The prime minister and the government of India should intervene further and ensure it is

Bangladesh needs India's support to come out of economic strain: Majumdar

Atrocities which are being committed against the Hindus in Bangladesh should be stopped, West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar added

Foreign secy Misri in Dhaka: Agenda, India-Bangladesh ties status explained

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is on a one-day visit to Bangladesh, where he is expected to raise India's concerns over attacks on minorities, including Hindus

Extreme heat, high temperature puts garment factory workers at risk: Study

Report identified only three retailers - Nike, Levi's, and VF Corp - which specifically include protocols to protect workers from heat exhaustion in their supplier codes of conduct

Case lodged against Chinmoy Krishna Das, his followers in Bangladesh

A case was lodged on Sunday over a clash between police and followers of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a media report. The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said the case names the Hindu leader, arrested on a charge of sedition, as the prime accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people. The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique. Haque in his complaint alleged that he was attacked by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das while returning home after completing land registry work at the court on November 26. The businessman claimed that he was targeted for wearing a panjabi', a kurta, and a cap, which resulted in injuries to his right hand and head. He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the newspaper said. Haque also said that his delay in fi

Bangladesh optimistic about resolving standoff in ties with India

Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the stalemate in the relationship witnessed in recent months, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said here on Sunday. His comments came ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Bangladesh on Monday during which he is likely to raise with Dhaka India's concerns over attacks on Hindus after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule in August. This will be the first visit to be made by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government came to power on August 8. We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other is very important to overcome any such stalemate, Hossain told a seminar titled 'SAARC - People of South Asia Crave' at the National Press Club. I hope they (foreign secretaries) will have a fruitful discussion, he said. He noted that it is important to acknowledge that there is a ..

Hit by absence of B'desh tourists, Kolkata traders think of wooing locals

The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and subsequent non-arrival of travellers from there has led to a blow to the traders of a particular area in central Kolkata, which is popular among tourists from the neighbouring country for shopping and staying. A section of those perplexed traders are staring at a void, while others are either looking at new avenues or decided to woo back the Indian customers they have lost in the past. An estimated 15,000 families are now affected by the situation. According to a trader, in the past, local customers and tourists from other states in India used to visit these areas for various purposes. They were more or less ignored by the traders and their population gradually dwindled over the years. "Now there is a big question mark. They don't know what to do they don't know in which direction their business will go since they are dependent only on the Bangladeshis," the National Committee Member of Travel Agents Federation of India (East India), Anil Punjab

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Why Foreign Secretary Misri's Bangladesh visit is vital amid strained ties

India's visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in bilateral relations, particularly concerning the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government

Iskcon Namhatta centre in Bangladesh burnt down, says Radharaman Das

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Saturday alleged that its centre in Dhaka district in neighbouring Bangladesh was burnt down earlier in the day. Iskcon Kolkata vice president Radharamn Das told PTI that the targetted attack on members of the community and members of the Vaishnavite order goes on unabated as "vandals set ablaze idols inside the temple at the Namhatta property." He said in a post on X handle, "ISKCON Namhatta Centre burned down in Bangladesh. The deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and all items inside the temple were burned down completely The centre is located in Dhaka. Early morning today, between 2-3 AM, miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple and the Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple, which fall under the Hare Krishna Namhatta Sangha, located in Dhour village, under the jurisdiction of Turag Police Station, Dhaka district." "The fire was initiated by lifting the tin roof at the back of the temple and using

US Congressman Krishnamoorthi calls on B'desh to end anti-Hindu violence

He urged the Bangladeshi government to uphold human rights, guarantee legal protections, and end the wave of violence

Hotels in Assam not to host B'desh nationals till attacks on Hindus stop

Hotels in Barak Valley of Assam have announced they would not host any Bangladesh national till attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country stop. Barak Valley, which comprises three districts of Cachar, Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj) and Hailakandi, shares a 129-km-long border with Bangladesh's Sylhet region. "The situation of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh is concerning. We cannot accept this in any way. We have, therefore, decided to stop hosting any national from that country in all the three districts of Barak Valley until the situation improves and atrocities on the Hindus stop. This is our form of protest," Barak Valley Hotel and Restaurant Association president Babul Rai told reporters on Friday. "The people of Bangladesh must ensure that stability returns to the country. Only if the situation improves, we can reconsider our decision," he said. A few days ago, Bajrang Dal had asked organisers of an ongoing global expo in Silchar to close down

Foreign Secretary Misri to visit Bangladesh on Dec 9 amid strain in ties

India on Friday announced that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will travel to Bangladesh on Monday, a visit that comes amid increasing strain in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka over attacks on minorities, including Hindus, in the neighbouring country. It will be the first high-level visit from New Delhi to Dhaka after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh and took shelter in India following massive anti-government protests. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Misri will travel to Bangladesh to attend a meeting under the framework of Foreign Office Consultations. In Dhaka, the foreign secretary will hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, besides holding several other meetings, he said. "The foreign secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh for Foreign Office Consultations on December 9. This is part of our structured interactions with the Bangladesh side," Jaiswal said. Jaiswal was responding to a question at his weekly media .

Bangladesh summons Kolkata mission head for consultations amid protests

Bangladesh has summoned Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman, the Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, for urgent consultations following protests over attacks on Hindu minorities. Rahman, who is also Minister - Political Affairs, stationed in Kolkata, has returned to Dhaka. Ashrafur Rahman was called for urgent consultations following ongoing protests outside our mission in Kolkata. Additionally, he will be part of the delegation during the foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries slated for next week. He will be back by the middle of this month, a senior official of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata told PTI on condition of anonymity. The mission in Kolkata has witnessed multiple protests over the past week by political parties and religious groups condemning the reported atrocities against Hindus minorities in Bangladesh. In a related development, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura, suspended all visa and consular servi

Bangladesh's largest minority group condemns attacks on Hindus in Sunamgonj

It has strongly demanded from the government to ensure exemplary punishment

UP CM Adityanath slams Opposition parties for trying to divide society

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Opposition parties of trying to divide society, saying what Mughal ruler Babur's army did in Ayodhya and Sambhal is what is happening in Bangladesh. The chief minister, who was in the temple town for the inauguration of the 43rd Ramayan Mela, said Lord Ram united the whole society. "Had we given importance to unity and not let the strategy of nation's enemies succeed in creating social animosity, this country would have never become a slave. Our pilgrimages would not have become impure. A handful of invaders would not have dared to invade us and and would be crushed by India's brave soldiers," Adityanath said. "But those creating obstacles within the society were able to succeed. Their genes remain the same even today. Those who indulge in caste-based politics to shatter the social fabric are still active," the CM said. "... 500 years ago, a general of Babur committed certain deeds in Ayodhya, similar acts in ...