PM Modi writes to Bangladesh's interim Chief, reaffirms commitment to bilateral ties
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to Bangladesh's interim government, extending greetings on Bangladesh’s Independence Day and reiterating India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
In his letter, the Prime Minister emphasized the shared history and sacrifices that have shaped the partnership between the two nations. "This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership. The spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for our relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples," he wrote.
India and Bangladesh share a historically significant relationship, with New Delhi playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war.PM Modi also emphasized India's commitment to advancing cooperation with Bangladesh, stating that the partnership is guided by aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, while respecting mutual interests and concerns.
The letter comes amid a shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape following the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. The transition led to the formation of an interim government under Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus.
Concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh have been raised by India, with Dhaka maintaining that these incidents are politically motivated rather than communal in nature. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has affirmed that India remains engaged with the interim government and will continue to address such issues.
In December, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh and conveyed India's concerns regarding attacks on religious institutions. He expressed that such incidents were "regrettable" during discussions with Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain.
PM Modi writes to Bangladesh's Yunus on National Day as part of the protocol letter; mention about "sensitivity" over "concerns"@narendramodi @PMOIndia @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/t3KQOgKpx3
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Draconian, direct assault on democracy: Left parties on bills to remove PM, CMs over criminal charge
New Delhi (PTI): Left parties on Wednesday said the new bills that provide for the removal of the prime minister or chief ministers arrested on serious criminal charges, are a direct "assault" on democracy and the federal framework, and vowed to oppose it "tooth and nail".
The government plans to introduce three bills in Parliament on Wednesday for the removal of the prime minister, a Union minister, a chief minister or a minister of a state or Union Territory when arrested or detained on serious criminal charges for 30 days in a row
Flaying the move, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said on X that "Modi Govt's 3 bills to oust PM, CMs, Ministers after 30 days in custody expose its neo-fascist characteristics. This direct assault on our democracy will be opposed by CPIM tooth and nail. We urge all democratic forces to unite against this draconian move".
"These bills, cloaked as tackling crime in high office, reveal their true intent given the RSS-controlled Modi govt's history of undermining elected state govts. With SIR, they mark a blatant move to subvert our democracy. All democratic forces must resist," he said on X.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas called the bills "draconian".
"The new bill by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, purportedly in the name of 'public interest, welfare, and good governance,' is, in reality, draconian and designed to destabilize opposition-led state governments while undermining India’s federal structure," Brittas said in a post on X.
"In an era marked by vindictive politics, where central agencies are deployed against opposition leaders, the provisions will be misused for ulterior motives," he said. The CPI(M) leader said the bill’s reference to “constitutional morality” contradicts its spirit, as it deviates from the established principle that disqualification and punishment should be tied to convictions by courts, not merely charges or arrests. "This principle is clearly enshrined in Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA). In today’s pernicious political climate, where individuals can be easily charged, arrested, and detained for extended periods, this legislation will be weaponised to target political opponents and erode democratic norms," he said.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the bills will sound the "death knell" for federalism.
"Viewed together with the ongoing systematic subversion of the electoral system starting with the appointment of Election Commissioners to the relentless push for 'One Nation, One Election' system, this amendment will sound the death knell for federalism and parliamentary democracy in India," Bhattacharya said.
"Every state government opposed to the BJP's politics and policies will henceforth be rendered permanently destabilised and dysfunctional. Every NDA ally will be on tenterhooks to fall in line with the BJP," he said in a statement.
"The weaponisation of central agencies like ED, CBI, IT, NIA and the abuse of the Constitutional office of Governors in narrow partisan interest, a trend which has been seriously condemned on several occasions even by the Supreme Court, will now gain legal validity with the enactment of this bill," he added.
The three bills were approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday.
These bills are the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bills are likely to be referred to a committee of Parliament.
