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Hasina statements from India not conducive to bilateral relations

FA tells Indian envoy, conveys concerns over border killing, Teesta water-sharing issues, media smear campaign


FE REPORT | August 15, 2024 00:00:00


Dhaka Wednesday conveyed to Delhi that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's statements emanating from India are not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations, and also raised some irritants in the ties.

Foreign Adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh Towhid Hossain mentioned the matters to Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma during a meeting.

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

Envoys from China, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union also paid courtesy call separately on him-all affirming respective country's cooperation with Bangladesh in the changed situation.

The foreign affairs adviser expressed Bangladesh's concern over border killing and Teesta River water-sharing issues and highly exaggerated media campaign about happenings in Bangladesh.

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

He also said whatever water the Teesta contains, Bangladesh must get its due share.

The adviser told the newsmen that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy in the overall law-and-order situation and pull up 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 about the ills on economic and financial fronts, adding that all this needs 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 to dispel any confusion over the tenure of the interim government of its own kind-installed through a student-mass uprising.

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

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

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

He stressed more 'people-centric engagement' in the upcoming days.

The foreign adviser affirmed interim government's commitment to ensuring a peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh, including the minorities.

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

"All religious groups and other political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the minorities."

Mr Verma expressed keen willingness of the Government of India to work with the interim government in the days to come to fulfil the shared aspirations of the two peoples.

In the meeting with the foreign adviser, British High Commissioner in 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 position on 'One-China Policy' and Tibet will remain unchanged.

The 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 British High Commissioner and the 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 the Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh and await repatriation.

The British High Commissioner, however, said the UK is deeply saddened by the violence and all losses 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.

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

"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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