Tension in Indo-Bangladesh ties easing: FA

The tension in the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India is easing with both sides agreeing to advance towards a ‘good working relationship,’ said foreign adviser Touhid Hossain.

Bangladesh’s ties with India, once dubbed the role model of neighbourhood relations, became sour after August 5.

Talking to the reporters about his recent meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, he said that none could deny that there is a tension in the bilateral ties between the two countries.

“But, its easing after the visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka,” he said, admitting that tension does still exist over some issues.

Asked about the challenges in re-establishing good working relations, he said that there are several areas, like visa issuance.

The foreign adviser said in the meeting with Mr Jaishankar that both of them agreed to advance the ties by resolving these issues.

In this connection, he mentioned that the foreign minister-level meeting is pending between the two countries.

“I have told him that since the visit of the Bangladesh foreign minister took place already, now it is his turn to visit Dhaka for the ministerial meeting, and I invited him to do so at a time of his convenience. And I told him that if he would convey the time to us, we would make arrangements for his visit,” the foreign adviser said.

Asked about Mr Jaishankar’s response to his proposal, Mr Touhid said ‘he was positive.’

Asked whether they discussed the issue of the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after her ouster from power in the face of a massive upsurge on August 5, the foreign adviser said that the issue was not highlighted in the meeting but was raised as a general discussion.

Asked whether the government wants to improve ties with India by bypassing the issue of Hasina’s extradition, the adviser said, “This is not an issue to be dropped. It is an independent issue. Our court ordered the government to ensure her presence before the court, and following that, we have sent a letter to India seeking her extradition. They are yet to respond but that does not mean that we will remain idle”.

Responding to another question over the renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, the adviser said that if both sides agreed, there would be no problem to renew it.  

Asked about the suspension of foreign aid by the Trump administration, the adviser said that this is not a Bangladesh-specific matter, as it is applicable for other countries also.

“We have nothing to do over this move, and I think we have to find out a modus operandi to survive under this new phenomenon,” he noted.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com