India on Monday expressed its desire to see a "positive, constructive and mutually beneficial" relationship with Bangladesh, stressing that there is no reason why this mutually beneficial relationship should not continue to deliver in the interest of people.

"To that end, therefore, I have underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh," said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

He made the remarks after Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladesh counterpart, Md Jashim Uddin, and his courtesy meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

Foreign Secretary Misri, during his official visit, also called on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.

During these meetings, Misri highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.

He also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.

Bangladesh-India FOC meeting held with focus on bilateral issues

The Indian Foreign Secretary also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties.

"We expect an overall constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward looking and constructive direction," he said.

The Indian Foreign Secretary said they have always seen in the past and continue to see in the future this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force.

This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed,” he said.

The Indian FS said that it was reflected in the mutually beneficial engagements they had on various issues, including trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation and cultural cooperation.

He reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests.

The Indian Foreign Secretary emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.

During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties.

They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional, and multilateral issues and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the Bimstec framework.

The visit will help sustain bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship, according to the External Affairs Ministry.

He said the discussions have given both sides the opportunity to take stock of their relations and appreciated the opportunity to have had a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all his interlocutors. 

Misri arrived here on Monday morning to hold several meetings in Dhaka, including Foreign Office Consultations, which is seen as an opportunity to address mutual concerns.

Ishrat Jahan, Director General (South Asia wing), received the Indian Foreign Secretary upon his arrival in Dhaka. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was also present.