The political churn in Bangladesh is that country's "internal matter" but India is keen to continue what was a stable relationship, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told NDTV Tuesday afternoon, underlining the maxim that neighbouring nations are "dependent on each other".
In a wide-ranging interview Mr Jaishankar touched on Russia's war on Ukraine and Delhi's potential peacemaker role in that conflict, as well as Iran leader Ayatollah Khamenei's remark, the war in Gaza, and a flurry of foreign visits in the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term.
"What happens is their internal matter. Bangladesh is our neighbour and the relationship, on our part, is something we want to keep stable. We have good trade... our people-to-people ties are good... I want to keep the relationship that way," Mr Jaishankar said on the Bangladesh crisis.
Bangladesh battled civil unrest and violence last month - the result of a student-led movement against quota in government jobs - that forced then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. Ms Hasina fled Dhaka in a military aircraft to land at an Air Force base near Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad.
She was expected to proceed to London to claim political asylum but British Home Office sources told NDTV its rules do not allow people to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary refuge.
READ | What Are Ex Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's Plans? India Says...
For now, Ms Hasina is believed to be in the custody of Indian intelligence agencies.
Last month Mr Jaishankar told Parliament Ms Hasina's office had requested permission to flee Dhaka for Delhi "at very short notice". At an all-party briefing he said the Indian government was prepared to give Ms Hasina time to decide on her next steps, which could include political retirement.
READ | Want Good Ties With India But On Basis Of "Equality": Md Yunus
Last week Nobel laureate Md Yunus - who leads an interim government - said his country too wants to maintain its previous good relationship with India, but that these ties should reflect "fairness and equality". Mr Yunus said he had received a congratulatory phone call from Prime Minister Modi.
"We want the world to recognise Bangladesh as a respected democracy," the 84-year-old, who opted for a 'Chief Advisor' title rather than 'Prime Minister', said in his first address to his nation.
READ | "Stay Silent In India Till...": Md Yunus' Message To Sheikh Hasina
For Ms Hasina, the Chief Advisor had stern warning, demanding she must remain silent to prevent compromising the two countries' relationship till her extradition is sought. "If India wants to keep her till Bangladesh wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet," he said.
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Cuts A 'Sorry Figure' Against Pacers At Nets - Report's Big Claim With Virat Kohli-MS Dhoni Reference, Ex-India Star Highlights Shubman Gill's Biggest Quality S Jaishankar Speaks To NDTV As Modi Government 3.0 Completes 100 Days: Highlights AAP's Atishi To Be Delhi's New Chief Minister, Chosen By Arvind Kejriwal "Your Duty...": Chief Justice On Bengal's 'No Night Shift For Women' Note AAP Asks Its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal To Quit Over Atishi Remarks Rahul Gandhi Extends Birthday Greetings To PM Modi "I'm A Rapist, She Did Not Deserve This": Man Who Let 50 Men Rape His Wife I Also Want To Be Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar Breaks His Silence Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.