High-Level Discussions Between India and Bangladesh on Terrorism and SAARC Revival

In a recent meeting in Muscat, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised Bangladesh against normalizing terrorism. The discussions touched on the stalled South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and bilateral ties, with Bangladesh seeking India's support for SAARC's revival and discussing the Ganges Water Treaty.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently met with Bangladesh's interim government's foreign affairs advisor, Touhid Hossain, in Muscat. The primary focus of their discussion was the issue of terrorism, with Jaishankar urging Bangladesh not to normalize such threats, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

The meeting occurred alongside the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Oman. In a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that SAARC issues were brought up by Bangladesh. Jaishankar emphasized that a relentless support for terrorism is a significant hindrance to SAARC's progress.

Both officials also explored the current political landscape in Bangladesh and bilateral ties with India. Bangladesh's interim government highlighted the importance of reviving SAARC and opening talks for the Ganges Water Treaty. The two sides agreed on the need to address shared regional challenges.