We would welcome holding of inclusive elections in BD: Jaiswal

India on Thursday reiterated that elections in Bangladesh scheduled for April 2026 should be credible, democratic, peaceful, and all-inclusive.

Responding to a query on Bangladesh’s general elections after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in August last year, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a weekly media briefing said, "You know our point of view. We have said that as a democracy we would welcome holding of elections, that is inclusive and includes everybody in its fold."

This comes after the recent agreement between the chief executive and a major political party on holding early elections, and India welcomes such efforts to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.

Earlier in July, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus directed the law-enforcing agencies to complete all preparations by December for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Around eight lakh law enforcement members will be engaged, and they will further be trained before the election, reports United News of Bangladesh (UNB).

The chief adviser instructed to take preparations for bringing some 16,000 vulnerable polling stations throughout the country under CCTV monitoring network to ensure peaceful balloting in the upcoming national election.

Jaiswal also stated that India follows developments in Bangladesh closely and takes cognisance of incidents like the recent violence in Gopalganj. The situation in Bangladesh is being monitored, and India will take action if required, he said.

"We want a positive and constructive partnership with the country. We have had engagements at the leaders' level. We also had foreign secretary visiting Bangladesh. We have had meetings between our external affairs minister and his counterpart, and you know there are several areas of cooperation between the two countries that are ongoing including development partnership. So, that is the context in which you must look at how we want to approach India-Bangladesh ties," said the MEA spokesperson.

At least four people were killed and dozens injured in violent clashes between law enforcement personnel and Awami League supporters in Gopalganj on Wednesday, following tensions over a rally by the National Citizen Party (NCP).

India and Bangladesh have several areas of cooperation, including development projects. India's High Impact Development Projects (HIDPs) in Bangladesh aim to enhance bilateral relations and promote economic development.

On the issue of the upcoming first anniversary of the interim government of Bangladesh led by Prof Yunus, and on being asked about an update on India's High Impact Development Programme in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said, "We want a positive and constructive partnership with the country."

He highlighted the several engagements that the neighbours have had in recent times.

Jaiswal also spoke on Bangladesh's foreign ministry issuing a press release regarding Satyajit Ray's ancestral house, which India has taken note of.

"We follow all developments in our region closely and take cognisance of what is happening there, and accordingly we take action if required on our side. Regarding Satyajit Ray's building, yes, we have seen a press release issued by the Bangladesh foreign ministry," he said.

On Thursday, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement and posted on X, "Detailed inquiry into archive/records in #Bangladesh reconfirm: the building being demolished in #Mymensingh district has no historical/familial link to iconic Bengali filmmaker #Satyajit Ray or his ancestors."

The Indian government expressed regret on Tuesday over the reported demolition of the ancestral property of celebrated filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, and expressed its willingness to extend cooperation in its restoration.

"We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"The Government of India is willing to cooperate with the Government of Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of Satyajit Ray," MEA added.

India emphasised the significance of the property as a cultural landmark and urged reconsideration of the demolition plan.

Jaiswal also mentioned that India is issuing medical visas to Bangladesh citizens, but did not provide exact numbers.

"With Bangladesh, we have been issuing visas to Bangladesh for various reasons, for various travels, medical emergency included, students, so on and so forth. We are issuing substantial visas. Exact number... on that, I will have to come back to you," said Jaiswal.