Bangladesh and India hold talks aimed at defusing escalating tensions

Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India have met in Dhaka to discuss their strained relations, including the growing tensions after former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina fled into exile in India in August. This is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since massive protests ended Hasina’s 15-year rule. Tensions spiked over the recent arrest in Bangladesh of a Hindu spiritual leader. Alleged assaults targeting minority Hindus in Bangladesh and an attack on a Bangladesh diplomatic mission in India featured prominently in Monday’s talks between the Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin.