India and Bangladesh are set to engage in foreign secretary-level discussions in December in Dhaka, as confirmed by Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will meet his Bangladeshi counterpart, Jashim Uddin, under the India-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) framework, according to a report by the state-run Bangladesh Sanghbad Sangstha (BSS).
The talks are viewed as a significant step toward normalizing relations between the two neighboring nations. Bangladesh is expected to raise the contentious issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition during the discussions. Hasan noted that bilateral topics, including Hasina’s extradition, are likely to be on the agenda, as reported by The Times of India.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been under strain since August, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule through a prolonged protest movement. The demonstrations, driven by Islamist and pro-Pakistan factions, led to the establishment of an interim government under Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, with backing from the military. Hasina fled to India for safety and has been residing there since her removal.
The political shift in Bangladesh has sparked widespread violence, particularly against Hindus, other minority groups, and political opponents. Reports suggest that the Yunus administration has downplayed the severity of the unrest while releasing Islamist leaders, including Jashimuddin Rahmani Hafi of Ansarullah Bangla Team, an al-Qaeda affiliate. These developments have further strained ties between the two countries.
The Yunus regime has persistently urged India to extradite Hasina, citing legal cases filed against her and her supporters. The upcoming talks are expected to address this contentious issue while exploring avenues to rebuild trust and cooperation.
