India has laid emphasis on resolving all issues in Bangladesh through democratic means and by holding “inclusive and participatory” elections.

At a media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, official spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said they support a “stable, peaceful, inclusive and progressive” Bangladesh in which all issues are resolved through democratic means and by holding “inclusive and participatory” elections.

He expressed concerns over the “deteriorating law-and-order situation” in Bangladesh which has been further exacerbated by the release of violent extremists who were sentenced for serious crimes.

Officials of Bangladesh and India held the 86th meeting of the Joint River Commission in Kolkata where they discussed the pros and cons of renewing the 30-year-old Ganges water-sharing treaty which comes up for renewal next year.

Spokesperson Jaiswal said the two sides discussed technical issues pertaining to the Ganges Water Treaty, measurement of water flows and other issues of mutual interest.

He said Bangladesh and India have decided to “rationalise” the bilateral developmental projects agreed on during ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

The two countries have also decided to implement mutually agreed projects on a time-bound basis, contingent on receiving commitments and necessary clearances from Dhaka, Jaiswal said.

He told reporters that these decisions were made during a recent meeting between officials of both countries in New Delhi. However, he did not specify the exact date of the meeting.

Asked about the status of development projects in Bangladesh, which were funded through India’s credit line announced during Hasina’s tenure, Jaiswal said development cooperation remains a priority in India’s relationship with the people of Bangladesh.