Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called upon the government to seek clarification from new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, over his reported remark about "India and Bangladesh becoming one".
In a Facebook post on Saturday, he (Dr Shafiqur) said that the comment attributed to the envoy had come to his attention following Dinesh Trivedi's arrival in the capital.
He said that if the remark was indeed made in that form, it could create confusion among the public and require an official clarification from the authorities concerned.
Emphasising that both India and Bangladesh are independent sovereign states, the Jamaat chief said any suggestion implying otherwise would be "condemnable" if intended literally.
He urged the government to address the issue "sincerely" and ensure clarity to avoid misunderstanding.
The statement has added a political dimension to the High Commissioner's introductory engagements in Dhaka, though no official response has yet been issued regarding the alleged remark.
Earlier Indian High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi arrived in Bangladesh on Friday via the Benapole land border to assume his new assignment.
Before leaving for Dhaka from Benapole, Trivedi spoke briefly to reporters at Benapole, underscoring the close ties between Bangladesh and India.
Responding to a question on the resumption of tourist visas, he dismissed notions of separation between the two countries.
"We have 1.4 billion people, and if you add 200 million, that becomes 1.6 billion. Whatever happens, happens together. I cannot think of us separately," he said, adding, "Same sky, same air."
Emphasising the importance of stronger engagement, he said meaningful cooperation between Bangladesh and India was essential and pledged to work towards fostering trust and people-to-people connectivity between the two nations.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
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