A clear message has been given to Delhi not to interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs, said Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin.

He gave this information at a briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (December 9) regarding the meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri.

The issue of misleading information being spread by the Indian media regarding the July coup was raised in the meeting. Jasim Uddin also said that India's steps have been sought to stop these lies. There was an open discussion on Bangladesh-India relations.

The Foreign Secretary said that the government has informed the Indian Foreign Secretary that Sheikh Hasina is not liking the kind of statements she is making while staying in India. In response, Vikram Mishri said that Sheikh Hasina's stay should not be an obstacle in the relations between the two countries.

Regarding the discussion on minorities, he further said, "We have told them that if they have any doubts regarding minorities, they can come to our country and observe the situation on the ground."

The Foreign Secretary also said, we discussed border killings with the Indian Foreign Secretary. We said, killings on the border are not desirable and such killings are not consistent with the friendly relations between the two countries. Md. Jasim Uddin said, we have always said that border killings should be reduced to zero. From their side, they said, various types of crimes are committed on the border. There is a connection between these crimes and killings.

Civil Aviation and Tourism and Land Adviser AF Hasan Arif said that Bangladesh could be a source of immense potential in tourism. But the tourism industry is not developing due to lack of adequate investment.

He said these things at a meeting with officials after visiting Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BPC) in Agargaon on Monday (December 9).

The tourism adviser said that the tourism industry can play an important role in the country's economic development and employment generation. While Bangladesh's neighboring countries can earn a huge amount of income from the tourism industry, Bangladesh's income is very small. The current government has taken necessary steps to overcome this problem.

The meeting, chaired by BPC Chairman Saema Shaheen Sultana, was addressed by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber and Additional Secretary of the Ministry Fatema Rahim Veena, among others.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri met with the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

They met at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday (December 9) afternoon.

On the ground, it can be seen that security arrangements have been tightened in the entire area in advance surrounding the arrival of the Indian Foreign Secretary. Traffic movement has been restricted. At the same time, security arrangements have been increased on every road entering the State Guest House Jamuna.

Earlier, the FOC began at the State Guest House Padma after 11 am today.

Diplomatic sources said that when the Indian Foreign Secretary entered the Padma, he was welcomed by Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin. Later, Jasim and Mishri held private talks for some time. After that, both sides sat at the FOC.

Sources said that in the meeting, both sides will emphasize on reducing political distance. Dhaka may emphasize stopping Sheikh Hasina's political activities in India, anti-Bangladesh propaganda in the Indian media and opening up the visa issue. On the other hand, Delhi may request that the interests of minorities and their security be ensured along with normalizing relations.

Foreign Ministry officials said that the meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the overall issues of the two countries' relations. The meeting will include many issues besides trade, connectivity, border killings, and water sharing.

After participating in the secretary-level meeting, Mishri will join the lunch. Then he will pay a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Towhid Hossain and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived in Dhaka this morning on a short visit. This is the first time a high-level official from Delhi has come to Dhaka after the political upheaval in Bangladesh. And this is also Mishri's first visit to Dhaka after becoming Foreign Secretary.

Vikram Mishri is scheduled to return to Delhi tonight.

Dhaka: India wants mutually beneficial relations with Bangladesh, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri.

He said this while talking to media personnel after a meeting with the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary on Monday (December 9).

Stating that India wants to take its relations with Bangladesh forward, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri said that it wants to further strengthen economic, social and political relations with Bangladesh.

The Indian Foreign Secretary said that after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and assured him of strengthening cooperative relations. We want to increase relations with the people of Bangladesh. India is interested in further strengthening cooperation in economic, social and political fields.

At this time, he also said that work is underway to remove the obstacles in the tourism and business sectors.

Mishri said that India wants positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relations with Bangladesh. However, Delhi has expressed concern over the security issue of minorities in Bangladesh. He said that there was also discussion on the incidents of attacks on religious, cultural and diplomatic installations, and that Delhi hopes for Bangladesh's positive view on the matter.