Dhaka seeks action against Indian media propaganda
Bangladesh has formally asked the Indian government to address propaganda, misinformation, and misleading narratives in Indian media regarding the July-August Uprising and allegations of hostility toward minorities in Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Md Jasim Uddin made the statement during a press conference on Monday (December 9) following the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and India, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The secretary revealed that Indian External Affairs Secretary Vikram Mishri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for the consultation. Both sides discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, and Mishri later met with the Chief Adviser to express optimism about advancing ties between the two countries.
Highlighting Bangladesh's concerns, Md Jasim Uddin said, “India is our closest neighbour, and our relationship is rooted in history. During the consultation, we urged India's cooperation in resolving outstanding issues and emphasized the need to strengthen trust and confidence between our peoples.”
He added, “We specifically requested the Indian government to take appropriate measures against the false propaganda and misinformation being spread by their media about the revolution and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. These claims are baseless, as all communities in Bangladesh practice their religion freely, and there is no scope for confusion or manipulation in this regard.”
The secretary also encouraged foreign journalists to visit Bangladesh to observe the ground reality and counter misinformation.
On matters of sovereignty, Md Jasim Uddin iterated, “We reminded India that these are Bangladesh's internal issues, and it is inappropriate for external entities to comment. Just as Bangladesh refrains from commenting on the internal matters of other countries, we expect the same respect in return.”
Streamlining visa services
Jasim said Bangladesh has called on India to improve visa processing and consular services, along with addressing pressing bilateral concerns spanning border safety, trade, and water-sharing agreements.
Highlighting the significant number of Bangladeshis traveling to India for tourism and medical purposes, Md. Jasim Uddin said, “We have requested India to simplify visa processing and consular services to ease access for our citizens.” He also urged India to consider commuting the sentences of Bangladeshi citizens incarcerated in both countries and to expedite the release of detained Bangladeshi fishermen.
Zero tolerance for border killings
The Secretary emphasized that reducing border killings to zero remains a priority. “Every life is precious,” he said, urging the Indian government to take visible and effective measures to eliminate border-related fatalities. He also called for enhanced cooperation to tackle cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Water-sharing and flood management
Addressing cross-border river issues, Md Jasim Uddin reiterated the importance of finalising the Teesta River Water Agreement and initiating the renewal process for the Ganga Water Agreement, set to expire in 2026. He urged India to expedite agreements on several other transboundary rivers and proposed forming a high-level mechanism to enhance flood forecasting and prevention measures.
Trade and energy cooperation
As one of Bangladesh's largest trading partners, India plays a pivotal role in bilateral trade. The Foreign Secretary urged the removal of existing barriers such as tariffs and para-tariffs to boost trade volume and called for ensuring uninterrupted supplies of essential goods from India.
In the energy sector, Bangladesh currently imports 2,656 MW of electricity from India. “We see opportunities to deepen cooperation further, especially in the current geopolitical context. We also seek India’s assistance in importing hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through Indian corridors,” he added.
Rohingya repatriation
The secretary stressed the importance of India's cooperation in repatriating 1.2 million Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh. “A sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis is essential for regional peace and stability,” he said.
