Hasina's statements from India not conducive to improving ties: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday conveyed Indian High Commissar Pranay Verma that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent statements from India is not conducive to improving Dhaka-Delhi ties.

"Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent statements made from India is not conducive in improving Dhaka-Delhi relations ... this is the stand of the Bangladesh's interim government," he told reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon.

The foreign adviser was briefing journalists about outcomes of his separate meetings with a few envoys stationed in Dhaka, including Indian High Commissioner.

"The statements made by her (Hasina) from India is not convenient, not comfortable for the (interim) government ... we want to see she (Hasina) will not do it (making statement) staying in India," Hossain said.

The adviser hooped that the Indian envoy will convey the Bangladesh's interim government's concern to his headquarters in Delhi.

The adviser said he also pointed out the highly exaggerated media campaign in India about happenings in Bangladesh.

"I directly told him that Indian media has been exaggerating it that creates a bad environment ... they should (Indian media) not do it,” he added.

During the meeting, the adviser stressed on some key issues like stopping border killing, concluding Teesta water sharing agreement and ensuring supply of essential commodities.

"On border killing, I told him that if we sincerely want it we can stop, it’s my belief," Husain said.

Regarding Teesta water sharing, the Adviser said, it is true there is no adequate water in Teesta river, but there is water.  

"I know there is scarcity of water (in Teesta river), but still water flow is there ... I asked him, if there is 100 cusec of water, can't we get 30 cusec?" he said.

Hossain said he emphasized the importance on fostering more "people-centric engagement" with New Delhi in the coming days.

"The (Dhaka-Delhi) tie should not be only government to government ... people satisfaction should be there ... people need to believe that we have good relations with India," he said.

Earlier, in a press release, the foreign ministry said the Adviser reiterated that Bangladesh wants to work closely with India for promoting bilateral relations.

The Indian high commissioner congratulated the Adviser on his new assignment and referred to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good wishes to the Chief Adviser Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The envoy expressed the keen willingness of the Indian government to work with Bangladesh's interim government in the coming days to fulfill the shared aspirations of peoples of both the countries.

The foreign affairs adviser thanked the Indian government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser on his assumption of new responsibility.

Hossain affirmed the interim government's commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh, including the minorities.

He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them.

All religious groups and the political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the minorities, he added.

The foreign affairs adviser also briefed the high commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh.

He mentioned that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track.

Source: BSS