Bangladesh says no country has right to interfere in its affairs
Dhaka, Dec 9: India on Monday flagged “regrettable incidents” of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh at a meeting here between the foreign secretaries of the two countries, where Dhaka called it “misleading and false information” and said no country should interfere in its internal affairs.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that he conveyed India’s concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meeting with his counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin.
This was the first foreign secretary-level meeting between New Delhi and Dhaka after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, following massive protests against her government.
“We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties,” Misri said. “We expect, overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction.” India has repeatedly expressed concern over the targeting of Hindus since the interim government of Muhammad Yunus took charge in early August.
Bangladesh’s statement after Monday’s talks, however, focused on “misinformation” in Indian media.
Jashim Uddin said the Bangladesh side expected Delhi’s active cooperation to halt the “negative campaign” in India to build trust among the people of the two countries.
“We drew their attention and sought appropriate steps regarding dissemination of misleading and false information in Indian media about Bangladesh’s July-August revolution and alleged hostile attitude to the minority communities here in the post-revolution,” he said.
Jashim Uddin said Dhaka simultaneously strongly stated that followers of all faiths in Bangladesh were performing their rituals freely.
“At the same time, we said no country is expected to interfere in our internal affairs and reminded that Bangladesh refrains from commenting on internal affairs of other countries and they should as well show identical respect for us,” he said.
Misri, the first high-level Indian official to visit Bangladesh since the takeover by the interim government, expressed New Delhi’s desire for a “positive, constructive and mutually beneficial” relationship with Dhaka.
“Today’s discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors,” he said.
“I emphasized that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh,” he said. “We have always seen in the past and we continue to see in the future this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship; one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force.” Misri said he underlined India’s desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh.
He also called on Interim Government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain.
During these meetings, Misri highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi.
“He reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests,” it said.
Misri emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.
He said there is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples.
“Since the political changes in Bangladesh, in August this year, there has, of course, been contact between our leaders. Our Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Adviser on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation…,” he said. (PTI)