Hope situation in Bangladesh returns to normal soon: PM Modi in I-Day speech

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed hope that the situation in crisis-hit Bangladesh returns to normal at the earliest, even as he voiced concern over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country.

In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said:

“As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope that the situation there returns to normal at the earliest.

“And especially 140 crore countrymen are concerned and want that the safety and security of the Hindus and other minority communities there is ensured.

“India has always wanted that our neighbouring countries walk the path of peace and prosperity. We are committed to peace; it is part of our tradition.

“In the days to come, we will continue to wish well for Bangladesh in its development journey because we think about the welfare of mankind."

PM Modi’s first public comments on Bangladesh come a day after Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met with the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohd Touhid Hossain at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka.

During the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes to the people of Bangladesh and expressed the keen willingness of the Government of India to work with the interim government in Dhaka in the coming days to fulfil the shared aspirations of the people from both countries.

The Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain affirmed the Interim government’s commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh including the minorities.

He said that the Bangladesh government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them.

On August 5, then Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid a mass uprising against her government, and continues to remain in New Delhi at a safe house.

An interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof Mohd Yunus is in charge in Bangladesh, under the control of the Bangladesh Army.