India supports ‘democratic and stable’ Bangladesh: Modi

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended support to a “democratic, stable” Bangladesh on Friday in its first high-level contact with Dhaka.

Modi made the comments during a telephone call he received from the head of Bangladesh’s transitional government, Muhammad Yunus.

It is the first time the two leaders spoke since Yunus took the oath of office on Aug. 8 -- three days after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina’s government -- India’s longtime all.

Hasina fled to New Delhi, after month-long protests against her government.

“Exchanged views on the prevailing situation” with Yunus, Modi wrote X.

“Reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He (Yunus) assured 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 transitional government was appointed early this month.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier pledged Kuala Lumpur’s support to the Yunus-led interim setup, which was expanded Friday to 21 members.

Around 580 people were killed in Bangladesh since July 16 during protests, which began by demanding reforms to a public jobs quota 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 had reportedly lobbied the US to tone criticism of the Hasina government.

In the run up to and after the general elections in January, Washington had criticized Hasina about alleged human rights violations and jailing opposition figures.

"In a series of meetings, Indian officials demanded that the United States tone down its pro-democracy rhetoric," the Washington Post reported Thursday.

Without naming any party, it said any change in government in Dhaka "would pose a threat to India’s national security."

“There were a lot of conversations with the Americans where we said, ‘This is a core concern for us, and you can’t take us as a strategic partner unless we have some kind of strategic consensus’,” the newspaper reported, quoting an unnamed Indian official.

Hasina has blamed Washington for the fall of her government, claiming she refused to accept demands from the US..

Washington has denied any role in protests that brought an end to her government.