EAM Jaishankar Engages with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor and Other Leaders in Muscat
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Synopsis
EAM S. Jaishankar met with various foreign counterparts, including Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain, during the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, focusing on bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- EAM Jaishankar's meetings included discussions with leaders from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.
- The 8th Indian Ocean Conference emphasizes maritime partnerships.
- Ongoing concerns regarding the welfare of minorities in Bangladesh were addressed.
- BIMSTEC summit planned for April in Bangkok.
- Bangladesh set to chair BIMSTEC after the upcoming summit.
Muscat, Feb 16 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar conducted a series of discussions with his counterparts from neighboring nations, including Bangladesh, during the Indian Ocean Conference held in Muscat on Sunday.
"I met with Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Our dialogue centered on our bilateral relations, as well as the BIMSTEC framework," the EAM shared on X after his meeting with Hossain, who serves as the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus.
The EAM also held talks with Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, Sri Lanka FM Vijitha Herath, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, and Mauritius FM Dhananjay Ritish Ramful.
The 8th Indian Ocean Conference is being organized by the India Foundation in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman from February 16-17 in Muscat, Oman. This year's theme of the conference, which acts as a vital platform for regional dialogue, is 'Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership'.
EAM Jaishankar and Hossain last convened on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, marking the inaugural high-level interaction between India and Bangladesh's interim government following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Despite India's efforts to advocate for the normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries, the current administration in Dhaka has come under severe criticism for making baseless allegations and targeting the Hindu community in Bangladesh since the widespread student uprisings and the dramatic downfall of Hasina's Awami League government on August 5 of last year.
In December, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a brief visit to Dhaka, addressing New Delhi's concerns, particularly regarding the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh, to the senior leadership of the interim government.
The 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit is set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 2-4 later this year.
Bangladesh will assume the role of the next chair of BIMSTEC during the summit.
