Dialogue between political parties over polls didn't bring any results: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said he is not aware that dialogue between political parties over election brought any results in the past, reports UNB.

He said the government will not talk to "any terrorists."

The foreign minister said such dialogues are not held in other countries, including in the US, and referred to those as "useless" discussions.

Momen was responding to questions on political dialogue at 'DCAB Talk' at the Foreign Service Academy.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.

The Foreign Minister said foreigners can come and observe the elections. "We remain transparent. We have nothing to hide."

Momen said the next election will be held as per the constitution. "We have a good track record of holding good elections. We are doing our best."

Responding to a question on recent remarks by China and Russia, he said those are their remarks. "You may ask them."

Momen said democracy is a dynamic process and it becomes mature through practice.

He said the next election will be a model election in the world. "We want all parties, who are willing, to join the elections."

The foreign minister also said there is no problem if any "terrorist party" does not join the election.

Momen ruled out the perception that Bangladesh is leaning towards China. Bangladesh maintains a balanced and independent foreign policy, he said.

"Some say we are tilted towards China. Apparently forcibly, it's being said. We maintain a balanced and independent foreign policy. We are not tilted towards anybody," he said, recalling the historic quote of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: "Friendship to all, malice towards none."

The foreign minister said Bangladesh's aim is development and public welfare, and the government has been focusing on that goal.

He reiterated that Bangladesh will never fall into the so-called "Chinese debt trap", as suggested and accepted by many.

"This is a wrong perception. Some pundits say this. Many accepted it, especially some foreign institutions. Under no circumstance, will we fall into 'Chinese debt trap'," Momen said.

He said some people had perpetuated the "wrong perception" that after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh would fall into the "Chinese debt trap".

"We are very prudent. We are very careful when taking foreign loans. We do not take unnecessary loans," he said, sharing statistics.

According to the IMF, Momen said, if any country takes over 55 per cent of its loans from a single country, then the former risks falling into a debt trap.

"Our overall debt is only 13.78% of the GDP. Out of this, 61% was taken from international agencies like ADB, IMF and the World Bank. As a single country, Japan is the highest loan provider with 17 per cent," he said.

From China, Momen claimed, Bangladesh has taken USD 3.5 billion, which is 0.75 per cent of the total GDP.

Momen described Bangladesh's relationship with India as "rock-solid". "We are in a golden chapter in our relations with India. It is a rock-solid relationship."