New Delhi: India on Friday (December 26) stated that the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years in exile must be viewed in the context of New Delhi’s support for a “free, fair, and inclusive” electoral process in the neighbouring country.Responding to queries on Rahman’s homecoming and his political bid, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “As you are aware, India supports free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. This development must be seen or should be seen in that context.”Rahman, who had been living in London since 2008, returned to Dhaka on Thursday as the BNP prepares for upcoming elections in February 2026 under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The BNP leader was greeted by a large crowd of supporters on the streets, which is being viewed as a major show of strength by the party seen as the front-runner of the polls.The interim government came to power after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown on August 5 last year by a student-led movement. Hasina fled to India and has been here ever since. Till now, India has not responded to Bangladesh’s call for her extradition, even after a Dhaka-based special court sentenced her to death.The MEA’s latest comments also came amid heightened diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka, following the mutual summoning of High Commissioners and protests held outside diplomatic premises.Addressing the broader political situation and the interim government’s ban on the erstwhile ruling party Awami League, the spokesperson emphasised that true inclusivity requires the participation of all political elements. “Inclusive elections mean inclusive elections. It means that all the people there, every side, participates in the election to strengthen the democracy and voice,” Jaiswal said, adding that “all the elements, all the persuasions who are there, should participate in that.”Safety of minority communitiesThe MEA also voiced what it described as “grave concern” over the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh. Jaiswal said there was “unremitting hostility” against minorities by extremist elements and claimed that independent sources had documented “over 2,900 incidents of violence”, ranging from killings to arson, during the tenure of the interim government.Reiterating India’s condemnation of the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh, the spokesperson stated that such incidents “cannot be brushed aside as mere media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence.” He added that India expects the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice and noted that India has been closely following the law and order situation.Asked about reports of a second Hindu death in Bangladesh, in which the interim government has described the victim as a criminal, the spokesperson stated that India’s position on security for minorities was clear.Jaiswal further rejected allegations in the Bangladeshi media that India was allowing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to carry out “anti-Bangladesh activities” from its soil. Terming such reports as a “false narrative,” Jaiswal said the responsibility for law and order in Bangladesh rests with the authorities in Dhaka. “To portray a narrative where things go in some other direction is completely false and we reject that,” he said.When asked about India’s lack of comment on the burning of the offices of Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the spokesperson did not respond.Regarding the recent visit of a Pakistani warship to Bangladesh, he stated that India “closely follows all such developments and takes action as required” in its interest. Despite the current diplomatic friction, the MEA maintained that India’s ties with Bangladesh remain broad-based and focused on the welfare of the people, with a continued emphasis on regional peace and stability.