S Jaishankar slams Bangladesh's "ridiculous” claims for ‘blaming’ India for everything

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly criticized Bangladesh’s interim government for making “absolutely ridiculous” allegations against India, cautioning Dhaka against straining bilateral ties. Speaking at a public event, Jaishankar said, “If every day someone in the interim government stands up and blames India for everything… some of those things, if you look at the reports, are absolutely ridiculous.” He added that Bangladesh “must make up their minds” on the kind of relationship it wants with India.

Jaishankar emphasized India’s longstanding ties with Bangladesh, recalling the historical significance of 1971 when India played a key role in Bangladesh’s liberation. He stated that while India seeks strong relations with its neighbor, continued accusations from Bangladesh’s interim leadership complicate diplomatic engagement. “You cannot, on the one hand, say that ‘I would now like to have good relations with you,’ but I wake up every morning and blame you for everything that goes wrong,” he said.

Addressing India’s concerns, Jaishankar pointed out two key issues affecting relations. The first is the spate of communal attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, which he described as “very troubling” and something that “impacts our thinking.” India has consistently raised the issue of minority safety with Dhaka, stressing that such incidents require immediate attention. The second issue, he noted, is Bangladesh’s internal political situation, which India acknowledges but insists should not lead to hostility in bilateral ties.

Jaishankar’s remarks follow his recent meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain in Muscat, where India reportedly warned Bangladesh against “normalizing terrorism.” The discussions took place amid growing concerns over Pakistan’s influence in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. India has reiterated that regional stability is a priority and has urged Dhaka to take clear steps toward ensuring security.

During the meeting, Bangladesh also raised the issue of SAARC, seeking discussions on the regional grouping’s future. In response, Jaishankar reportedly pointed out that all South Asian nations are aware of the obstacles hindering SAARC’s progress. He emphasized that the focus should be on addressing regional security challenges rather than engaging in narratives that could further disrupt diplomatic ties.