India on Saturday said it was discussing with other countries, including the U.S., the situation in Bangladesh.
To a reporter’s query, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran said: “We are discussing the Bangladesh situation with different countries, which have interest in peace and stability in Bangladesh, and, of course, with the USA.”
This is the first time an Indian diplomat has admitted to such discussions. The disclosure comes as the two major political parties remain at loggerheads over the government that will oversee the next general election, to be held before January 24.
Mr. Saran, however, did not reveal at what level India discussed the issue with the U.S. Media reports said the High Commissioner had met U.S. Ambassador Dan W. Mozena twice in recent weeks, reportedly on Mr. Mozena’s initiative.
The Indian envoy said dialogues with all political parties were on, but “strictly within the diplomatic framework”.
Ongoing violence
The ongoing violence has prompted the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union to take an active role while India remained silent.
The U.S. envoy even flew to New Delhi and had discussions with top officials of the External Affairs Ministry. There are media reports that the Indians and the Americans discussed the situation on the sidelines of the India-Japan-U.S. trilateral dialogue in Tokyo this week.
