Interim govt’s responsibility to protect Hindus: India on Dhaka temple destruction

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“The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use … and they allowed the destruction of the temple today. This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted,” he said.

“We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutions,” Jaiswal said.

On trade issues with Bangladesh, he said, “the trade-related amendments announced by India in respect of Bangladesh were based on Bangladesh’s own quest for fairness, equal treatment, and reciprocity. We await resolution of the underlying issues pending with the Bangladeshi side for a long time. These issues have been raised by India at several structured meetings earlier, including at the Commerce Secretary-level talks.”

In May this year, India decided to put restrictions on Bangladesh products to be exported to north-east India and overseas, in what is being seen as a reciprocal move after Dhaka has been imposing non-tariff barriers on Indian exports to Bangladesh.

This also comes a month and half after Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus had called north-east India as “landlocked” and that they have “no way to reach” the Bay of Bengal. India has imposed port restrictions on specified Bangladesh exports to India across all land customs stations (LCSs) or integrated check posts (ICPs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; and through Changrabandha and Fulbari in northern Bengal. The products include readymade garments, wooden furniture, plastics, juice, bakery and confectionery items, and cotton yarn among others.

Separately, in respect of readymade garments port restrictions are to apply to Bangladesh exports to India across all landports, permitting imports through Kolkata and Nhava Sheva seaports only.

On the negotiations for renewal of the Ganges water treaty with Bangladesh, which is going to expire in 2026, the MEA spokesperson said, “Both India and Bangladesh, we share 54 rivers, which also includes the Ganga. To discuss all relevant issues that form part of this cooperation, the two countries have a bilateral mechanism in place, which is the Joint Rivers Commission. We also have consultations of concerned state governments, representatives in our own internal consultations on such issues to frame our approach. We are prepared to engage with Bangladesh on all matters in an environment that is conducive for mutually beneficial dialogue.”