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‘Two countries share multi-faceted ties:’ Indian envoy Pranay Verma after meeting Bangladesh foreign secretary

Indian High Commission Pranay Verma was summoned by the Bangladesh foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah a day after the ‘attack’ on its consulate in Agartala

Indian High Commission Pranay Verma arriving at Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka after being summoned by foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah | X

After being summoned by Bangladesh, Indian envoy Pranay Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka and met Foreign Secretary Reaz Hamidullah on Tuesday.

Bangladesh's latest move comes after the protests in Agartala. Reportedly, the protesters barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and vandalised the place. 

Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said that he has been summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah. 

After the meeting, Verma said that India-Bangladesh has a multi-faceted relationship and we are working across many issues. 

"We have a wide-ranging, multi-faceted relationship, and as I have said before, you cannot reduce it to one issue or one agenda. We are working on many issues. We (India) always want to build a positive, stable and constructive relationship. There are many interdependencies we have and we want to build on that to mutual benefit," said the Indian High Commissioner. 

He further added, "We will keep ensuring that our cooperation benefits our two peoples." 

"The number of positive developments to our relationship in the last few months - from trade to power transmission to supplying essential commodities - we have maintained a lot of positivity in our relationship."

Verma also said that India is willing to work with the interim government in Bangladesh. "We are committed to working with them to fulfil our shared aspirations for peace, security and development," he added. 

Amid rising tensions, visa office in Dhaka was shut down by authorities.

Earlier India has expressed concerns regarding the rising attacks against minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar pointed out that since August the targeted attacks against minorities have increased in the country. 

There have been multiple incidents of violence, and vandalism targeting the Hindu community, said MEA. 

Also, India has expressed deep regret over the Agartala incident. "Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," a statement said.

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