Bangladesh FM Hasan Mahmud, visiting India, reiterates that minorities are safe and rising in his country

On a visit to reaffirm the warmth of ties in the bilateral relationship, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, thanked the people and government of India for standing beside Bangladesh for holding a free, fair and transparent election in that country, to protect democracy. This is Mahmud’s first official visit to India and his first bilateral visit to any country after assuming office as foreign minister in January 2024.

“It is a fact that the Indian people and government stood beside us, like in 1971 during our War of Liberation, to protect our democracy although there were many ploys to destabilize the election process,” Mahmud said.

Mahmud also said that under the Awami League government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, minorities in Bangladesh were safe and enjoyed their rights.

Mahmud, who is currently visiting New Delhi on a three-day bilateral visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Dr. S. Jaishankar, made the remarks during a media interaction at the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on Thursday.

Mahmud reiterated that the recently held election in Bangladesh was fair, vibrant, participatory and held in a festive mood. “I would say our election was a good election in the history of Bangladesh and in the context of Indian sub-continent…Election was ours and our people had exercised their right of franchise freely,” he said.

Speaking about minority issues in Bangladesh, Mahmud said that the minority community in Bangladesh will enjoy their rights since “our party, Bangladesh Awami League is a secular party and secularism is the main pillar of our party. But, side by side there are some fanatic forces, they even don’t vote for Awami League and, from time to time, they try to destabilize our society,” he said.

Mahmud refuted the allegation that the number of people belonging to religious minorities are declining in Bangladesh. “I don’t agree with the data provided by you in this regard. Rather percentage of minority people is increasing gradually in Bangladesh like the majority people,” he added.
He added that the present government in Bangladesh, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, has taken and would continue to take firm action “against those elements who are out to destabilize the society in the name of religion.”

Showing comparative data, he said in Bangladesh, one Durga Puja mandap (pandal) was set up for less than 300 people last year, but in West Bengal (India), there was only one mandap for every 1000 people. That shows how the Hindu community enjoys religious freedom in that country.

Responding to queries about the increase of anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, Mahmud said that these issues are raised during the election season: some elements attempt to raise anti-India sentiments and appeal to religious fervor. However, this anti-India sentiment did not find much traction in the just concluded elections. “Now the tablets and anti-India capsules do not work. It is ineffective…BNP-Jamaat elements want to play the card before election, but it does not work now,” he said.

Hopeful of raising people to people contacts bilaterally, so that people are more invested in mutual connectivity, Mahmud said enhanced road, rail and water connectivity, easing hurdles in the visa process and increased cultural exchanges would help strengthen popular bilateral contact between Bangladesh and India.

He specifically mentioned that people still have to wait in long queues in front of Indian visa centres in Dhaka, Chittagong and other parts of the country to get visas.

“I have raised the issue in my meeting with EAM Jaishankar…As the hurdle of getting visas is eased more and more people will travel between the two countries and that will strengthen people to people contacts,” he said

About visa-free travel, he said that he is looking forward for those days when someone will come to border and show his/her passport to get access to the destination country.

Responding to another question, he welcomed the letter of US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We welcome them as both the leaders have expressed their willingness to work with the new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina”. Bangladesh and US have enjoyed excellent bonds of friendship and “we are looking forward to further strengthen our relationship in future for the benefit of our people. The US is our major development partner and we celebrated our ties last year.”