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New Delhi: A brief social media post by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after meeting Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman here Wednesday may appear routine, but in diplomatic terms it signals something far more significant - the first visible political thaw between New Delhi and Dhaka after months of unease. "Pleased to host FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and his delegation this afternoon," Jaishankar posted on his X handle after the meeting. "We discussed strengthening our bilateral relationship in its various facets. Also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Agreed to remain in close touch." According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government in Bangladesh under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and further strengthen bilateral ties. "The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms," the statement reads. "Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date. Further, both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Following the meeting at Hyderabad House, Rahman also held a private meeting with Jaishankar. According to a report in Bangladesh news website Prothom Alo, diplomatic sources in Dhaka indicated that the foreign ministers of the neighbouring countries discussed bilateral issues as well as regional topics. "Humaiun Kabir, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs, was also present at the meeting with Jaishankar. He accompanied the Foreign Minister on the trip to Delhi," the report stated. The agreement to "remain in close touch" suggests that both sides are now attempting to rebuild structured engagement after ties had virtually frozen during the interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The freeze in ties was not marked by open hostility but by an unmistakable slowing of political engagement and growing unease on both sides. During the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka recalibrated its foreign policy posture, occasionally signalling discomfort with what it perceived as India's proximity to the previous government of Sheikh Hasina. New Delhi, in turn, adopted a cautious approach, limiting high-level outreach while watching developments in Bangladesh's internal political landscape. Routine mechanisms of cooperation in trade, connectivity, visas, border management and energy continued at a technical level, but the political momentum that had defined bilateral ties for over a decade was largely absent. For over a decade, under Prime Minister Hasina's leadership, India and Bangladesh developed close and cooperative ties across strategic, economic, and connectivity domains. India was Bangladesh's largest trading partner in Asia, and cooperation spanned infrastructure, security, and connectivity initiatives. In August 2024, mass protests in Bangladesh led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim government led by Yunus. This was a dramatic shift from a long-standing political status quo. During Yunus's tenure, ties with India deteriorated significantly. Dhaka criticised India's support for Hasina and its perceived influence in Bangladesh's internal affairs. Rhetoric from Dhaka at times challenged India's strategic position in the region and sought closer ties with China. India responded by tightening visa services and recalibrating diplomatic engagement. The lack of engagement at high political levels and mutual suspicions meant that traditional channels of cooperation were effectively on hold. Against this backdrop, Wednesday's meeting between Jaishankar and Rahman assumes importance as the first visible effort to restore that political momentum. By agreeing to "remain in close touch" and discussing the "various facets" of the relationship, both sides appear to be signalling a shift from guarded distance to pragmatic engagement.
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Spiritual guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, on Tuesday came out strongly and expressed grave concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent ISKCON leader in Bangladesh. Taking to social media platform X, Sadhguru highlighted the shift from a democratic to a theocratic and autocratic system in Bangladesh, stressing the importance of understanding the value of an open democracy. He pointed out that persecution based on religion or demographic weaknesses is not in line with democratic ideals. Also Read | UK Horror: Transgender ...Read More >
DHAKA: Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das failed to get any relief on Tuesday as his bail hearing in a Bangladesh court was postponed for a month due to the unavailability of any lawyer to represent him, according to a media report. After an initial hearing on the bail petition on Tuesday, the judge set January 2 for another hearing, Chattogram Metropolitan Police ADC (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. Das will have to wait a month to see if he will receive bail in a sedition case against him, it said. His bail plea was set to be heard by the court of Chattogra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Thursday hailed the all-party delegation's visit to several countries worldwide and noted that the members had briefed External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar about their visits. On meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, member of the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal told ANI, 'After returning today, we met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He wanted to know the response in the five countries we visited. We told him about it. Wherever we went, the countries appr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Thursday hailed the all-party delegation's visit to several countries worldwide and noted that the members had briefed External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar about their visits. On meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, member of the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal told ANI, 'After returning today, we met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He wanted to know the response in the five countries we visited. We told him about it. Wherever we went, the countries appr ...Read More >
Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced more attacks than ever since an interim government replaced the ousted prime minister, as Islamist groups have become more prominent and demoralized security agencies have left a security vacuum. The government says the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Officials, witnesses and local media reports said that Krishna Das Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested in Dhakas main airport on Monday while traveli ...Read More >
Noting that the evolution of Quad has been a "notable development," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said the Indo-Pacific is experiencing "significant changes" including new convergences and partnerships. "In an era of collaborative endeavours, the Indo-Pacific will require practical solutions, nimble diplomacy, greater adjustment and more open conversations. The G7 can be one such partner," Mr. Jaishankar said as he attended the G7 FMM Outreach Session with Indo-Pacific partners in the Italian city of Fiuggi on Tuesday. G7 ministers throw support behind Israel-Hezbollah ceasefir ...Read More >
Concerned about the targeting of religious minorities in Bangladesh, the Trinamool Congress has urged the Indian government to request United Nations peacekeeping forces be dispatched. Sudip Bandyopadhyay raised the issue in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, citing attacks on Hindus. The silence of the Indian government was criticized. The Trinamool Congress has expressed deep concern over the ongoing targeting of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. On Tuesday, they called upon the central government to request that the United Nations dispatch peacekeeping forces to the countr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in the presence of leaders of Central Asian countries, touched upon various business opportunities and complementarities between these respective economies on Thursday. Jaishankar suggested a few areas where India and Central Asian countries should collaborate to improve their economies. Jaishankar noted that India's trade and economic ties with Central Asia have actually shown a very strong positive trend over the last decade. However, he has also said that the trade figures do not reflect the full potential. Given th ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has urged the India-Central Asia Business Council to recommend a roadmap for further deepening of India-Central Asia ties in trade, economic and investment. Addressing the Business Council meeting in the national capital, EAM Jaishankar highlighted three broad objectives for strengthening the economic partnership -- deepen existing cooperation, diversify the trade basket and introduce sustainability and predictability in economic interactions. "One, is to deepen the existing cooperation both in terms of volume a ...Read More >
India's D. Gukesh is set to face reigning World Chess Champion Ding Liren in Game 3 of the 2024 World Chess Championship at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. After losing the first game, Gukesh managed to hold Ding to a draw in the second round while playing with Black. In Game 3, Gukesh, now with White, aims to reduce Ding's lead and fight for an equal footing in the series. The match will be streamed live on platforms like FIDE's YouTube and Chess.com, with live updates available on Sportstar’s match blog. Fans can follow all the exciting action as it unfolds. ...Read More >
Guwahati: A group of intellectuals and prominent citizens met the officials of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demanded the immediate release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh. Various other organisations also organised protest rallies and demonstrations against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The intellectuals under the banner of 'Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh' urged the Bangladesh caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to make all efforts to protect the minorities in Bangla ...Read More >
Why Is Indian Railways Called Indian Railways, Not Indian Railway? UPSC-Level Question Solved Months after India and China reached a deal to end border deadlock, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has flagged challenges that the two countries are facing. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is committed to engaging with China to arrive at a fair and mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement. The External Affairs Minister noted that India-China relations cannot be normal in the absence of a clearly articulated approach. "The governm ...Read More >
Dhaka: India should 'unequivocally' recognise the July-August uprising, which toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime, to start bilateral ties afresh, a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government said Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Mahfuj Alam -- considered a de facto minister in the interim government and a key leader of Bangladesh's Anti-Discrimination Students Movement -- noted that the Indian establishment tried to portray the uprising as "something militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover" and asked India to "change the Post '75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realit ...Read More >
AMRITSAR, India (AP) -- A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants arrived in a northern Indian city on Wednesday, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, airport officials said. The Indians who returned home had illegally entered the United States over the years and came from various Indian states. The move came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, which is expected next week. U.S. President Donald Trump and Modi discussed immigration in a phone call last week and Trump stressed the impo ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Criticising the BJP-led NDA government, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that India's foreign policy has collapsed. In a post on X, Gandhi raised three questions to the central government. "Will JJ explain, Why India has been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn't a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to "mediate" between India & Pakistan?" the LoP said. Reposting a video of S Jaishankar's interview with a media outlet, he said, "India's foreign policy has collapsed," he added. Earlier, Gandhi q ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday welcomed the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in New Delhi for the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue, as India continues to put a strong foot forward in enhancing anti-terror and de-radicalisation partnerships across the region. "4th India-Central Asia Dialogue begins in Delhi. EAM S Jaishankar warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy Chairman of C ...Read More >
H.E. Josel Francisco Ignacio, current Ambassador of the Philippines to India shares his credentials with President Droupadi Murmu On 16 November 1949, the Philippines and India, the two independent democracies would forge diplomatic ties. The two republics were born just a few years apart, first set out on the road to their bilateral friendship and collaboration. This inaugurated a period of closer government interaction, commerce and investment, and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Building on much common ground in history, democratic ideals, socio-economic imperatives and aspi ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The heads of the border guard forces of India and Bangladesh will meet in New Delhi in mid-February for the first time since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government to discuss key issues such as the fencing of the boundary and tackling trans-border crime. The director general of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, will travel to India during February 16-19 for talks with the head of the Border Security Force (BSF), Daljit Singh Chawdhary, people familiar with preparations for the meeting said on condition of anonymity on Wednesday. Siddiqui's t ...Read More >
Srinagar, May 21: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday hit out at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's statement that India had informed Pakistan beforehand about the missile strikes on terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country. "Our external affairs minister says that we informed Pakistan that we are going to strike at terror training centres. Are wars fought like this? Do you give advance notice?" Karra said, while addressing a 'Jai Hind' yatra in Anantnag district. The JKPCC chief also questioned the BJP-led central gov ...Read More >
Deposed Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday that he has been the mastermind behind the targeted violence against the minorities, especially Hindus in Bangladesh. She said this while virtually addressing the Awami league event in Now York. Hasina claimed that Yunus led the mass killing under a meticulously planned crusade with the help of student coordinators. The statement comes in the wake of heightened unrest after the arrest of ISKCON affiliated Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. She also stressed upon the statement of the son of her political rival Khaleda Zia, Ta ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 11 (ANI): On the birth anniversary of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid glowing tributes to the statesman, recalling his immense contributions to India's democracy and development. Kharge took to social media to share a heartfelt message, quoting one of Mukherjee's profound observations: Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: 4 People Including Bengaluru Techie's Wife Nikita Singhania Booked for Abetment of Suicide. "India's true story is the partnership of the people. Our wealth has been created by farmers and workers, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday wished his Kenyan counterpart Musalia W Mudavadi on Jamhuri Day, or independence day. Jaishankar shared an image of the International Yoga Day being celebrated in Kenya in July this year. In a post on X, he said, "Greetings to FM Musalia W Mudavadi, the Government and people of Kenya on Jamhuri Day." The Indian embassy in Kenya also extended its wishes on Kenyan independence day. The Kenyan High Commission in India celebrated Jamhuri Day on December 10. In a post on X, the Kenyan High Commission said, ...Read More >
PM Modi holds bilateral meetings with Indonesia and Portugal President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in bilateral discussions during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil. The Indian delegation, which included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, participated in discussions with their Indonesian counterparts. During their interaction, PM Modi emphasised the discussions centred on strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors, including trade, defence cooperation and additional areas of mutual interest. ...Read More >
A violent clash between Bangladeshi security forces and supporters of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari resulted in one fatality on Tuesday. The incident occurred after Brahmachari, an outspoken monk and spokesperson for a newly-formed Hindu advocacy group, was denied bail on sedition charges. According to AFP, citing Nurul Alam, a police inspector stationed at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif succumbed to injuries sustained during the altercation. "He had deep injuries on his head," confirmed hospital director Taslim Uddin. The clashes erup ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid on Tuesday described as "reprehensible" the alleged mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and asked that country's interim government to take immediate steps to prevent such acts. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, since Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister in August following months-long students-led protests. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal: DM Requests Neighbouring Districts To Restrict Congress Leader's Proposed Visit to Violence-Hit Town. ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong on Wednesday said that China is ready to work with India and put into action the understandings between Indian and Chinese leaders. The comments come ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. In a post on X, Ambassador Xu Feihong, "China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, str ...Read More >
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday stoked a new controversy after he called Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hypocrite for questioning Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar over providing information about Operation Sindoor to Pakistan. The Congress clapped back at the BJP leader, stating that he "repeatedly displays his stupidity." Dubey's accusation stems from Rahul Gandhi's criticism of S. Jaishankar, which the BJP MP views as inconsistent with Gandhi's previous statements. Dubey referenced a 1991 Indo-Pak military transparency pact signed during a Congress-backed go ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Feb 5 (PTI) The family of a 36-year-old man from Hyderabad has requested the Ministry of External Affairs to help bring back their kin, who is currently lodged in a jail in Thailand, after allegedly being trafficked to Myanmar. Shaik Ashraf was arrested by the Thailand Police and jailed after entering the Southeast Asian nation from Myanmar, where he was "trafficked" to indulge in online scam operations, his family claimed. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: National Capital Records 57.89% Voter Turnout; Exit Polls Give BJP Edge Over AAP. In a letter addressed to External ...Read More >