Jaishankar meets Touhid today in Muscat amid uneasiness

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to meet Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) today in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

This development comes amidst tensions between the two nations following political shifts in Bangladesh and concerns raised by India regarding minority violence and hostility toward its businesses.

According to a report by the Indian media outlet The Hindu, Jaishankar and Touhid will hold talks during the conference, which began on Sunday. 

The event is co-organised by India's Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of Oman, and the India Foundation. 

At least 27 foreign ministers, including those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal, are attending this year's summit.

When contacted for confirmation, Md Manowar Mukarram, Director of the South Asia Division of Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry, said that the matter is being reviewed by the director general's office. However, attempts to reach Director General Ishrat Jahan via phone were unsuccessful.

This meeting marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement since Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra visited Dhaka in December, shortly after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government. The encounter assumes special significance given recent strains in bilateral relations.

India's concerns

India has voiced apprehensions over violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, and alleged hostile behaviour targeting Indian businesses following the establishment of Bangladesh's interim government.

Bangladesh's demands

Dhaka, meanwhile, insists that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently residing in Delhi, refrain from making political statements or participating virtually in Awami League activities. 

Additionally, discussions are expected to focus on critical issues such as border security, river water distribution, flood management, trade relations, and release of terrorism-related detainees.