Hasina’s statements from India not conducive to bilateral relations: FA tells envoy

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday told Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Verma that the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s statements emanating from India is not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations. 

It causes unease in Bangladesh, the adviser told the reporters after meeting Mr Verma, who paid a courtesy call on him.

Envoys from China, the US, the UK and the EU also paid courtesy calls separately on him.

The foreign affairs adviser also expressed Bangladesh’s concern over border killing and Teesta River water sharing and highly exaggerated media campaigns about happenings in Bangladesh. 

“I told him that if both the countries become sincere, undoubtedly, the border killing can be stopped.”

He also said that whatever water Teesta has, Bangladesh must get its due share of it.

The adviser told the newsmen that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track. 

An anarchic situation was created in the banking and financial sector and there was a culture of impunity for the financial crimes, he said, adding that all these need to be streamlined. 

“We shall not remain in power one day more, nor one day less when we will be able to complete these tasks,” he noted.

The government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and create an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections.

During the meeting with Mr Verma, Hossain thanked Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser on his assumption of his new responsibilities.

The adviser mentioned that Bangladesh wants to work closely with India for promoting bilateral relations. 

He stressed on more ‘people centric engagement’ in the upcoming days. 

The foreign adviser affirmed Interim Government’s commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh, including the minorities. 

He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them. 

He added that all religious groups and other political parties are also working to ensure the safety and security of the minorities.

Mr Verma expressed the keen willingness of the Government of India to work with the interim government in the coming days to fulfil the shared aspirations of people from both countries. 

In the meeting with the foreign advisor, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said, the UK welcomes the appointment of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

“The interim government has the UK’s support as it works to restore peace and order, ensure accountability and create a peaceful pathway to an inclusive and democratic future” she said.

Meanwhile terming China a positive friend of the people of Bangladesh the adviser said, he told the Chinese envoy that Bangladesh’s policy on One China and Tibet will remain unchanged.

Chinese envoy told the reporters after the meeting that China stands by Bangladesh to advance the bilateral cooperation and to move forward the ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.

He also mentioned that China never interferes in the domestic situation of other countries.

In the meeting, the High Commissioner and Adviser for Foreign Affairs discussed the strong and enduring relationship between Bangladesh and the UK, cemented by their deep people-to-people ties and shared Commonwealth values.

They also discussed how the UK can support the interim government’s work towards a democratic and prosperous future and other issues of mutual interest including Rohingya.

British High Commissioner, however, said that the UK is deeply saddened by the violence and all loss of life in recent weeks. 

“We recognise the bravery of the students and many others who through peaceful protest called for a different future for Bangladesh.

“The interim government has the UK’s support as it works to restore peace and order, ensure accountability and chart a peaceful pathway to an inclusive, prosperous and democratic future for the people of Bangladesh.”

After the meeting with the foreign adviser, EU acting head of delegation Mr Jeremy told the reporters that the EU look forward to supporting Bangladesh in this critical tradition. 

“Today, we listen, we came on to listen to the needs of the interim government and how we as you can best support this transition period,” he added.

“Let me reassure you that the EU will remain a friend and steadfast partner to Bangladesh”.

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