Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said that Bangladesh maintains its foreign relations on the basis of national interest and its ties with a country in the context of another country is not a zero-sum game.

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When asked whether the growing engagement with China will affect the country's ties with the US or India, the FM said Bangladesh determines its foreign policy keeping in mind its national interests, and it's not like that of the co-wives.

“We shall never improve our ties with a country by damaging relations with another country. Improving ties with a particular country does not mean that it is affecting our ties with another one,” he pointed out.

He said the PM’s China visit was very fruitful and in the future Bangladesh eyes a very successful visit to India.

“And now Mr Sergei Gor is coming to visit Bangladesh. Through all these visits we want to advance our ties with all,” he added.

He said that the US President’s envoy on South and West Asia, Sergio Gor, will arrive here on Thursday as part of his routine exploratory visit.

Responding to a question, he said that there is no pressure from the US to finalise the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade during this visit.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com