India is closely monitoring defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan amid media reports that Dhaka and Islamabad are holding discussions on the possible purchase of JF-17 fighter jets.
Responding to a question on Friday, Indian’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing, “We keep a close watch on all developments that have a bearing on our security interests.”
During the briefing, Indian journalists raised four questions related to Bangladesh, covering issues of minority rights, the resumption of direct Dhaka–Karachi flights, and the country’s national elections.
On reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said India has observed “a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on homes and business establishments of minorities by extremists,” stressing that such communal incidents must be dealt with “swiftly and firmly.”
“India has noticed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, personal vendettas, political differences and other extraneous reasons,” he said, adding that such disregard “only emboldens the extremists and perpetrators of such crimes and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among the minorities.”
Regarding the possible resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi, the MEA spokesperson said, “Such issues will be dealt with as per the air services agreement with Bangladesh.”
Responding to a question on national elections in Bangladesh and Myanmar being “not inclusive” due to the absence of major political parties, Jaiswal said, “We continue to support and call for inclusive, fair and free elections so that there is a mandate that is credible.”
