Detailed Discussions: Jaishankar, Bangladesh Adviser Talk Ties

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Sunday in Muscat, Oman, during the Indian Ocean Conference. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional cooperation through BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), and key security concerns.

Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share insights from the meeting, stating:
“Met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Conversation was focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on (BIMSTEC).”

Diplomatic Engagements and Key Issues Discussed

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing the continued diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since their last meeting at the UNGA in September 2024.

Since then, key bilateral engagements have included:

• Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) at the Foreign Secretary level in Dhaka on December 9, 2024.
• Bangladesh’s participation in India Energy Week in New Delhi on February 10-11, 2025.
• Upcoming border security meeting between Directors General of Border Guarding Forces in New Delhi from February 18-20, 2025, where border-related issues are expected to be addressed.

Bangladesh Calls for Ganges Water Treaty Renewal

During the discussions, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain stressed the need to initiate talks on renewing the Ganges Water Treaty, a critical agreement governing water-sharing between the two countries.

He also urged India to consider convening the SAARC Standing Committee meeting to strengthen regional cooperation.

Jaishankar’s Keynote Address at the Conference

Before the meeting, Jaishankar delivered a keynote address at the Indian Ocean Conference, where he emphasized the importance of adhering to international agreements to ensure regional stability.

Speaking on global conflicts affecting the West Asia and Indo-Pacific regions, he stated:
“We meet at a time when there is considerable churn in world affairs. At such a juncture, an open and constructive exchange of views is of particular benefit.”

Jaishankar also highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, calling it a “global lifeline” due to its role in production, trade, and connectivity.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

The meeting reaffirmed India and Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties, resolving border issues, and enhancing economic and security cooperation through BIMSTEC. Both nations acknowledged challenges in their relationship and expressed the need for continued collaboration to address them.