Dhaka: The Foreign Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and India has been officially set for December 9 in Dhaka, as confirmed by the foreign ministry today. The event will focus on discussing key bilateral issues, including trade, visa connectivity, border killings, and water-sharing, highlighting the extensive scope of these high-level talks.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the foreign ministry spokesperson and Director General of the Public Diplomacy Wing, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, informed reporters during the ministry’s weekly media briefing that an inter-ministerial meeting has already been conducted to coordinate preparations for the upcoming dialogue. When questioned about the potential inclusion of the extradition of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the agenda, Alam referred to a previous briefing, indicating that there is room for discussion on the matter.
Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since fleeing Bangladesh on August 5 and is curre
ntly facing trial in Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for her alleged involvement in mass killings during a student-led uprising in July-August. The spokesperson addressed concerns regarding delays in reviewing previous agreements between Bangladesh and India, attributing the postponement to the operational challenges faced by the interim government. He assured that all deals would be reviewed and disclosed in coordination with relevant ministries once the situation is stable.
The consultation will be led by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, each heading their respective delegations. On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hosain underscored the significance of mutual efforts in fostering bilateral relations with India, emphasizing that a good relationship requires both sides to actively work towards it.