Ensure Hindus', minorities' safety: Modi tells Bangladesh interim govt

New Delhi: Following the swearing-in of Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus as the head of Bangladesh's interim government, the Indian Prime Minister sent him a congratulatory message and explicitly called for the safety of Hindus in the conflict-ridden country, The Wire reported.

After the former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina stepped down from the post and fled the country, Yunus took charge as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday. A 16-member advisory council was formed in Dhaka.

This marked the culmination of a dramatic shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, where Hasina and the ruling Awami League had maintained undisputed control over all levers of government for 16 years.

Hasina fleeing the country ended a 16-year rule of undisputed rule by the Awami League headed by Sheikh Hasina.

Modi wrote on, "..best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities."

"India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development," posted Modi on his X account.

He also said, "India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development."

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar released a statement recently, expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, while Modi openly identified Hindus as one of the victims of the conflicts in Bangladesh. When Jaishankar and the MEA spokesperson acknowledged and welcomed Bangladeshi civil society groups' efforts to ensure the protection of minorities, the same was absent from Modi's statement on X, The Wire points out.