Dhaka and New Delhi committed to advancing bilateral relationship for mutual benefit in the first high-level official talks since Bangladesh's political changeover.

In a meeting with visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri yesterday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus elaborated on how students, workers, and people joined hands in the July-August uprising to end Sheikh Hasina's corrupt regime, said the CA's press wing.

"Our job is to keep their dreams alive. It is a new Bangladesh," he said and briefly outlined the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government when Misri called on him at state guest house Jamuna.

Describing Bangladesh-India ties as "very solid" and "close", Prof Yunus asked India to help clear the "clouds" that have cast a shadow over the relationship in recent times.

Misri said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first foreign leaders to greet Prof Yunus after he assumed office. "We wish you every success," the Indian foreign secretary said.

"We want to carry on from where we left off," Misri said, adding, "We have to do business with the government of the day. This is a major relationship."

In another statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs said Misri expressed New Delhi's desire to increase engagements with Bangladesh's interim government and make "joint and concerted efforts" to boost relationships between the two neighbours.

"There is no second thought about increasing engagements. We see this as beneficial for both countries," Misri said.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser for environment, forest and climate change, told the media after the meeting between Prof Yunus and Misri that both sides emphasised their eagerness to strengthen bilateral relations.

"They [India] closely monitored the events of July and August and expressed their awareness of the situation," she added.

Misri arrived in Dhaka yesterday morning to hold the annual Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. Officials from other ministries, including water resources, commerce, and home affairs from both countries were present.

After the FOC at state guest house Padma for over three hours, Misri called on Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain at his office and then met Yunus.

Misri read out a statement after his meeting with Touhid, while Jashim separately briefed the media about the meetings with Misri.

Misri said India wants to see the relationship with Bangladesh as people-centric, which was also reflected in the development projects supported by India and the engagements on trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, energy, development and cultural cooperation.

"There is no reason why this mutually beneficial relationship should not continue to develop in the interest of our people."

PROPAGANDA, MINORITY ISSUE

The visit by the Indian foreign secretary, who flew back to New Delhi last night, came amid strains in relationship after Hasina was toppled and she fled to India.  

The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in late November triggered demonstrations in various parts of India, while an attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala sparked protests in Bangladesh.

The chief adviser said the interim government is committed to protecting every citizen and safeguarding their rights irrespective of their creed, colour, ethnicity and gender. "We're a family. We have to work together," Yunus said.

Misri also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, Indian foreign ministry said.

He also raised some "regrettable" incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.

Dhaka has accused the Indian media of carrying out propaganda on a global scale on alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Adviser Rizwana said, "We raised concerns about the ongoing misinformation campaigns aimed at damaging Bangladesh's reputation as a nation of harmony."

She said most incidents were either political or personal, but they were portrayed as communal violence. Bangladesh government is neither involved in such incidents nor does it condone them. "Legal actions have been taken against those responsible," she said.

Secretary Jashim said he requested the Indian side to take steps against false media reports about Bangladesh.

"We emphasised that people of all religions in Bangladesh can freely exercise their faith ... ," he said.

"We said this is our internal issue, and it is not appropriate for any other country to interfere in our internal issues. We also asked foreign journalists to visit Bangladesh and see the ground realities."

Asked about Miris's concerns about minorities, Jashim said, "There is a gap in understanding the minority issue. I hope it will be minimised after our discussion."

India clarified that their government is not responsible for the activities of certain media outlets or organisations that are spreading misleading narratives, Jashim said.

"We expect India's active role in curbing negative propaganda against Bangladesh and rebuild trust and confidence among the peoples of the two countries," he added.

The CA's press wing said Misri stated that media narratives and the Indian government's perception about India-Bangladesh relations are different.

HASINA'S STAY IN DELHI

Prof Yunus raised the issue of Hasina in the meeting with Misri, the CA's press wing said. "Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tension."

Misri said it was a wrong perception that India had ties with one particular party in Bangladesh. "They are not meant for one particular party, but for every one."

On Hasina's statements, Jashim said he conveyed that Bangladesh government is not liking it and the Indian authorities should convey this to her.

"The Indian side said her presence has no bearing on our relations. They will engage with the government of the day."

The chief adviser also expressed Bangladesh's unease about provocative statements being made by other individuals from abroad.

"These statements seem to aim at inciting tension, and we made our position on this issue very clear," said Rizwana.

OTHER ISSUES

The Bangladesh officials discussed many other issues, such as border killings, water sharing, visa and cooperation in different fields with Misri.

Bangladesh called upon India to bring to zero the number of border killing, Jashim said, adding that such killings do not go in line with friendship.

India referred to crimes in the border, but Bangladesh said it condones neither crimes nor killings. "We spoke of long-term solution to border crimes including drug smuggling," Jashim said. 

The FOC highlighted the signing of a deal on Teesta water sharing, renewal of the Ganges treaty ending in 2026 and resolving issues related to other transboundary rivers.

"We sought India's cooperation on flood forecast, sharing of water data and proposed formation of a high-level mechanism on this," Jashim said.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has significantly restricted visas for Bangladeshis, which is affecting those seeking treatment in India and doing business.

Jashim said fully-fledged operation of visas and consular services may take some time because of the "deficit of trust".

Misri said India doubled the number of visas for Bangladeshis last month and would increase the number further in the coming days.

Dhaka also stressed removing tariffs and para-tariffs in bilateral trade and sought an uninterrupted supply of commodities from India.

Bangladesh currently imports 2,656 megawatts of electricity from India and this cooperation can be further boosted in the current geopolitical reality, Secretary Jashim said.

"India's cooperation is also needed for us to import hydroelectricity from Nepal via India," he said.

Bangladesh also sought India's cooperation on Rohingya repatriation as its sustainable solution is critical for the peace and stability of this region.

"As our nearest neighbour, we sought to settle all the unsettled issues in our relationship at the quickest possible time," Jashim said.

Prof Yunus called for close bilateral cooperation in floods and water management, urging India to join in his initiative to revive SAARC. "We want to build a prosperous new future for all of us," the chief adviser said.

Misri said that India continues to engage with SAARC, but there are some obstacles.