For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has said just as countries maintain relationships for trade or broader state interests despite conflicts, it is crucial for Bangladesh to maintain “good relations” with India, China, and the United States.
Speaking at a national dialogue on reforms at Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution auditorium, he said: "There is a kind of conflict between India and China.
“There is a kind of friendship between the United States and India. Again, we need to maintain good relations with these three countries.
"It is important to maintain good relations because we have interests in these three places."
Enlarging on this, Touhid said: “There is so much hostility between China and India, yet look at the amount of trade between them. It is more than $100 billion.
"That is why we have interests in every country. Additionally, we have another interest as we are not major players in the international arena.
“So, we need to maintain a kind of balance, which is also quite important."
In a recent “informal” discussion held in Bangkok, the foreign minister added, the issue of Rohingya repatriation was not part of the agenda.
If unresolved, he warned, all involved countries would face “inconveniences”.
“I attended the discussion. The main focus was on three issues – first, the border; second, drugs and other crimes; and third, attacks by external forces on Myanmar.
“The Rohingya repatriation issue was excluded from the agenda.
“When invited, I initially pointed out that the Rohingya issue is deeply connected to the three topics under discussion.
“These three problems cannot be addressed without resolving the Rohingya issue.”
At that time, Touhid claimed that it was an “informal consultation” and said: “There have been four bilateral discussions.
“There, I explained to (countries) that if (you) do not solve [Rohingya] problems, each of you will face difficulties due to the demographic pattern that [Myanmar] have.
“I have said these three things. Each of them is related to our interests and the Rohingya solution is related to the solution of these three problems, the path to the solution. This is our position.”
He also highlighted what was conveyed to the Myanmar representative at the time, saying: “I told the person from Myanmar, you have to consider our interests.
“Our interest is the establishment of peace in Myanmar.”
However, he noted that he could not discuss the return of the Rohingya with anyone, as peace has not yet been achieved in the country regarding the Arakan issue.
The advisor said: “Today, tomorrow, I cannot even discuss the return of the Rohingya. Who will I even talk to?
“The region where the Rohingya have been displaced has no authority from the Myanmar state.
“That is why I don’t expect a return in the next two to six months. But if peace is established, they must be sent back.
“Otherwise, you won’t have peace either. I’ve made it clear to them,” the minister said, referring to the meeting.
Commenting on the need for unity within the state, he said: “That is why I believe unity is needed.
“Of course, disagreements are possible. There are different solutions to the same issue. People may think differently at different times.
“But unity is crucial when it comes to national interest.”
“This is the case in various countries. Different issues are decided through bipartisan discussions (where there is a majority of two parties).
“Unfortunately, we have never seen this in the last fifty, fifty-two years,” he added.