Extended Hasina stay won't affect BD-India ties, says Adviser

Bilateral ties will not be affected if India allows former prime minister Sheikh Hasina a longer stay, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
"Why will our ties be harmed if someone stays there? There is no reason to be so," he told journalists after briefing Dhaka-based foreign diplomats on Monday.
Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India amid mass protests led by students. Delhi said it received the former prime minister on very short notice. With Hasina's next move unclear, media reports say her stay in India could be extended.
According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, bilateral ties are a bigger issue, based on mutual interest.
"Friendship between countries is about shared interests," he said. "India has interests in Bangladesh, while Bangladesh similarly has interests in India. The two neighbours will be guided by their interests," he said.
Dhaka would try to maintain good relations with Delhi, he added.
At the briefing, diplomats raised concerns about foreign investments and the ongoing security situation. Mr Hossain assured them that the economy and investment climate would recover soon.
The interim government has taken swift action to restore law and order, he said, pledging to protect all religious and ethnic groups.
"We can assure that the safety and security of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel will remain a top priority. We are also committed to protecting all foreign citizens in our territory," he said.
The government's most urgent task is to restore law and order, Mr Hossain said.
"We are working on creating an environment conducive to the resumption of full-fledged policing. The patriotic armed forces will continue to serve the nation with its well-known duty as the situation warrants."
"To reflect the desire of the people, including the youth, the government is committed to working on essential policy and institutional reforms towards ensuring a democratic and prosperous future for the country. We remain mindful of the pressing demand for security sector reform."
The government remains committed to promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, Mr Hossain said, adding that the government is committed to upholding the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the press, including in the cyber domain.
It will make sincere efforts to promote national reconciliation through inclusive dialogue and accountability, he added.
"In a drastically changed scenario, all political parties are now free to voice their views and opinions" he said, adding that the interim government makes it a priority to ensure justice and accountability for all deaths and violence committed during the recent mass uprising through nationally-led, independent investigation and judicial processes.
"In the process, the government shall remain engaged with relevant international partners, including the UN, to avail itself of appropriate support for facilitating such processes in a sound and seamless manner".
He affirmed that the government shall uphold and promote all its international legal obligations, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
He said different quarters are now venting their pent-up frustrations and grievances through different means at times through resorting to violence.
"The government has made it absolutely clear that this is no time for vendetta of witch-hunting that can potentially undermine the outcome of the uprising. Our students have unequivocally echoed this sentiment".
"The government calls on all the development partners, including the multilateral development banks and other international financial institutions, to extend meaningful support to Bangladesh to help tide over the economic challenges we face," said the foreign affairs adviser.
The government calls on international trade and investment partners to maintain their trust in Bangladesh and work in partnership with Bangladesh to improve labour standards, environmental protection and logistics efficiency.
"We will not allow any legitimate foreign business interest to be affected. We urge our expatriates, especially those in major migrant-hosting countries, to continue to enjoy their rights and protections."
The adviser reiterated that the government would remain focused on a smooth transition to inclusive and pluralistic electoral democracy as soon as possible.
"We believe that all our friends and partners in the international community will continue to stand by the interim government and our people as we embark on charting a new future for Bangladesh," he concluded.
Narrating the context of the interim government's formation, he said, "The resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through a popular uprising and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament required the Honourable President to form an interim government."
He recalled that the then Awami League government, in its efforts to suppress the popular movement, committed gross human rights violations by abusing and misusing state power.

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