India’s Jaishankar discusses Bangladesh with US Secretary of State Rubio

In his first meeting with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed the situation in Bangladesh.

At a media briefing following the bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers in Washington on Wednesday, Jaishankar said Bangladesh was briefly discussed.

However, he would not provide further details on the matter. 

After the Trump administration came to power, Rubio held his first bilateral meeting with Jaishankar.

The Indian foreign minister is visiting Washington to attend Trump’s inauguration and the meeting of QUAD, an informal group of countries representing Australia, India, Japan and the US. The Trump administration initiated it during its first term, and the Biden administration elevated it to the leadership level.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power through a massive student-led mass movement and fled to India, where she has been residing since. 

During her stay in India, diplomatic exchanges have begun between India and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Hasina’s name has surfaced in various murder cases related to attacks and violence to suppress the mass movement.

She has also been accused of committing genocide and crimes against humanity at the International Crimes Tribunal. 

After the tribunal issued an arrest warrant, the government sent a diplomatic letter to India requesting her extradition.

Relations between the two countries are more strained than ever before.

The QUAD meeting aside, Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz that day.

The QUAD, a security dialogue of four countries led by the United States, was initiated to counter China’s “dominance” in the Pacific.

A statement from the US State Department on the meeting between the two foreign ministers noted that both sides committed to strengthening their partnership.

They discussed regional issues, bilateral relations, and various other topics, agreeing to advance economic ties.

The Hindu reported that the Trump administration will work with India to address concerns regarding irregular immigration.

They also had detailed discussions on critical and emerging technologies, defence cooperation, energy, and establishing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.