NEW DELHI:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced his support for a “democratic, stable” Bangladesh on Friday in his first high-level contact with Dhaka.
Modi made the comments during a phone call he received from the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Mohammad Yunus.
It is the first time the two leaders have spoken since Yunus was sworn in on August 8 — three days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s — India’s government in years.
Hasina fled to New Delhi after a month of protests against her government.
“We exchanged views on the prevailing situation” with Yunus, Modi X wrote.
“He reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He (Yunus) assured the protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh,” Modi added.
Modi is the second foreign leader to speak to Yunus since the caretaker government was appointed earlier this month.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier pledged Kuala Lumpur’s support for the Yunus-led interim group, which on Friday expanded to 21 members.
About 580 people have been killed in Bangladesh since July 16 during protests that began demanding reforms to a quota for public sector jobs but later ended the 15-year reign of the Hasina-led Awami League government.
Modi’s call with Yunus comes amid reports that Indian officials allegedly lobbied the US to moderate criticism of the Hasina government.
In the run-up to and after January’s general election, Washington had criticized Hasina for alleged human rights abuses and the jailing of opposition figures.
“In a series of meetings, Indian officials asked the United States to tone down its pro-democracy rhetoric,” the Washington Post reported Thursday.
Without naming any party, he said any change in government in Dhaka “would pose a threat to India’s national security”.
“There were many conversations with the Americans where we said, ‘This is a key concern for us and you cannot take us as a strategic partner unless we have some kind of strategic consensus,'” the paper said, citing an unnamed Indian official.
Hasina blamed Washington for the downfall of her government, claiming it refused to accede to US demands.
Washington has denied any role in the protests that brought an end to her government.
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