A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan stands guard at the India-Bangladesh border outpost at Hili in Dakshin Dinajpur district on August 5, 2024. | Photo credit: PTI
A top adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government said on Monday (August 12, 2024) that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s long stay in India will not harm bilateral ties and Dhaka will always try to maintain good relations with New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Tauhid Hossain made the remarks when asked whether bilateral ties with India would be affected if Ms Hasina’s stay in India got prolonged.
“This is a hypothetical question. If a person lives in a country, why should his relations with that country be affected? There is no reason for this,” he said, stressing that bilateral relations are a big issue.
Ms Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India last week after massive protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.
Mohammed Hussain said that bilateral relations are relations of interests and friendship is also about interests. “If interests are hurt, then friendship ceases to exist.”
He said both sides – Bangladesh and India – have interests and they will follow those interests. Mohammad Hossain said relations between the two countries “are not affected by the presence of one person in another country” while “India has its own interests and Bangladesh has its own interests”.
Mohammad Hussain said he would “always try to maintain good relations” with India.
Earlier, he briefed diplomats posted in Dhaka, including Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, on the situation in Bangladesh and sought their cooperation.
“We believe that all our friends and partners in the international community will stand with the interim government and our people as we move forward towards building a new future for Bangladesh,” Mohammad Hossain told diplomats.
Career diplomat and former foreign secretary Mohammad Hossain reaffirmed that Bangladesh is committed to upholding all agreements made with other countries.
The adviser accused the Awami League regime of committing gross human rights violations in an attempt to suppress a popular movement, which ultimately resulted in its ouster from power.
“However, the sheer power of the people eventually toppled all authoritarian regimes,” Mohammad Hossain said, adding that Bangladesh had experienced a “second liberation” last week due to a massive uprising led by “our courageous students.”
The Adviser said the Interim Government is committed to meeting the new expectations of the people and expressed confidence that the international community will continue to support the Interim Government and the people of Bangladesh as they work towards a new future.
“Bangladesh is on the verge of a new beginning,” he said.
The adviser told the diplomats that the government has taken swift and decisive steps to restore law and order and bring back normalcy across the country.
Representatives of all diplomatic missions based in Dhaka, including UN agencies, attended the briefing and were briefed on security measures, the Rohingya issue and the current situation.
“We can assure that the security of diplomatic and consular premises and individuals will remain one of our key priorities,” Mohamed Hussein said, adding that the interim government remains sensitive to the need to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals.
Mohamed Hussein said the government would remain focused on a smooth transition to an “inclusive and pluralistic electoral democracy as soon as possible”.
During his first press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Mohammad Hussain was asked about the possibility of bringing back Ms. Hasina. He replied that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Law Ministry, while his office would respond only if that ministry made such a request.
“Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests,” said Mohammed Hussain, whose rank is equivalent to that of a minister.
Mohammad Hussain, who previously served as deputy high commissioner to India, said, “We intend to maintain smooth and positive relations with everyone, including India and China.”
When asked about the interim government’s approach towards India, Mohammad Hussain said that there are strong and deep relations between the two countries.
“(But) it is important that people realise that India is a good friend of Bangladesh… We want that, we want to move the (Dhaka-Delhi) relationship in that direction,” said Mohammad Hossain, a career diplomat and former foreign secretary.