Bangladesh Interim Leader Assures Modi on Minority Safety Amid Visa Restrictions

New Delhi: Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus on Friday called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and assured him of "protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh" even as New Delhi announced that only limited visa facilities were available to Bangladeshis currently for eventualities such as medical emergencies and that "full-fledged" visa facilities would be available only when normalcy is restored in Bangladesh.

On Friday evening, Modi said on social media platform X, "Received a telephone call from Professor Muhammad Yunus… Exchanged views on the prevailing situation. Reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He assured protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh."

The development came after Modi had raised the issue of safety of minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh during his Independence Day address on Thursday from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The MEA too on Friday said that New Delhi had taken up the issue of safety and security of minorities, including Hindus, with the interim government in Dhaka through the Indian High Commissioner who had met the foreign affairs advisor to the interim government.

The MEA pointed out that PM Modi had on Thursday made it clear in his I-Day address that the interim government in Dhaka "should do more" to ensure protection of minorities including Hindus there following attacks on them.

In a statement later, the MEA said, " During the call, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He emphasised India's commitment to supporting the people of Bangladesh through various development initiatives. Prime Minister also underlined the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities in Bangladesh."

The MEA added, "Prof. Yunus, in turn, assured that the interim government would prioritise protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minority groups in Bangladesh. The two leaders also discussed ways to take the bilateral relationship forward in line with the respective national priorities."

At his weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India looks forward to working with the interim government in Dhaka for the peace, prosperity and security of people of both nations.

He made the comment when asked about certain critical statements issued by former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on the vandalism that followed her ouster from power in her country.

In response to queries, he said there was "nothing to share" regarding the future plans of Hasina who remains holed up in Delhi since early last week when she fled to India following mounting student protests in her country.

Asked whether India would consider any request from the new government in Bangladesh to extradite Hasina, the MEA spokesperson said he would not answer hypothetical questions.