India has condemned the destruction of a Durga temple in Dhaka and said it was “allowed” by the interim government. Reiterating the stance that the Bangladesh government must protect Hindus as well as religious institutions, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is prepared to engage with Bangladesh on “all matters” in an environment that is conducive for mutually beneficial dialogue. However, he added that incidents like this are happening quite frequently in the neighbouring country. “We understand that extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka,” he said. “The interim government (led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus), instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use…and they allowed the destruction of the temple today,” Jaiswal further said. He added, “This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh.” He also mentioned that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh “to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutions”. On the issue of India’s decision to curb Bangladeshi exports via land ports, the MEA spokesperson said the measures were based on Dhaka’s own quest for “fairness, equal treatment, and reciprocity”. “We await resolution of the underlying issues pending with the Bangladeshi side for a long time. These issues have been raised by India at several structured meetings earlier, including at the Commerce Secretary level talks,” he added, quoted PTI. Last month, India decided to curb Bangladeshi exports of ready-made garments and several other consumer goods through land ports with an aim to ensure fairness and equality in bilateral trade. There has been a sharp decline in India-Bangladesh relations after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and took shelter in India in August last year. The relations nosedived dramatically after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.