India desires to work closely with interim govt: Vikram Misri

Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India desires to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh authorities. 

The Indian diplomat made the media statement after Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with the foreign secretary of Bangladesh on Monday afternoon at the state guest house Padma.

He said there is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interests of both our peoples and to that end. 

“Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations, and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of use with all my interlocutors,” said Vikram Misri. 

He also said that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. 

“We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future this relationship as a people centric and people oriented relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force,” said the Indian foreign secretary. 

“This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed,” he added. 

He further said, “It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy and development cooperation, consular cooperation and cultural cooperation.”

Regarding the minority issue, Vikram Misri said, “At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.”

He mentioned that some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties were discussed in the meeting. 

“We expect overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward looking and constructive direction,” he continued.