TDS Desk:

India has expressed willingness to engage with Bangladesh on key bilateral issues, including river water sharing and trade, but emphasized the need for a conducive and mutually respectful environment for such dialogue to progress meaningfully.

“We are prepared to engage with Bangladesh on all matters in an atmosphere that fosters mutually beneficial cooperation,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a routine media briefing on Friday.

The comments came in response to a question about the renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, a landmark agreement set to expire next year after 30 years of implementation.

India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers, including the Ganges. Discussions on the renewal of the water-sharing treaty fall under the purview of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), a long-standing bilateral mechanism for water cooperation.

The 86th JRC meeting, held earlier this year in Kolkata, reviewed the challenges and prospects of the existing treaty. Jaiswal noted that India is continuing internal consultations on the matter, involving relevant state governments and stakeholders.

The MEA spokesperson also addressed questions regarding a recent informal trilateral meeting among Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan held on the sidelines of the 9th China-South Asia Exposition in Kunming.

While avoiding direct criticism, Jaiswal said India remains vigilant about developments in its neighborhood that could impact its strategic interests.

“Our bilateral relationships stand on their own merits, but we continuously monitor evolving regional dynamics,” he stated.

Bangladesh, for its part, has dismissed speculation that the Kunming talks signal any realignment or new strategic bloc.

“There is no new alliance,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday in Dhaka. “It was not a political meeting, nor was it aimed at undermining any third country.”

He reassured that the meeting was limited to official-level discussions and was not directed at India.

Jaiswal also touched on unresolved trade issues between the two countries, saying recent amendments in India’s trade policy affecting Bangladesh were based on Dhaka’s own calls for “fairness, equal treatment, and reciprocity.”

“We’ve been awaiting resolution of long-standing trade concerns that have been raised at multiple bilateral forums, including Commerce Secretary-level meetings,” he said, without elaborating on specific grievances.

In a rare public remark on internal matters in Bangladesh, Jaiswal voiced India’s concern over the demolition of a Durga temple in the Khilkhet area of Dhaka.

“Extremist elements had been threatening to destroy the temple. Rather than securing the site, the interim government justified the action as an issue of land use and allowed the demolition,” he said.

He added that the idol was damaged before it could be safely relocated, describing the incident as deeply troubling.

“We are dismayed that such incidents keep recurring,” Jaiswal noted. “It is the responsibility of the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the protection of religious minorities, their places of worship, and properties.”

Despite areas of tension, India’s overall tone remained measured, emphasizing a preference for diplomacy and dialogue in addressing disputes.