Mamata's statement doesn’t befit her: Foreign Adviser

Md Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, has criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent suggestion for the Indian central government to deploy UN peacekeepers to Bangladesh. 

He described the comment as unsuitable for her stature.

Speaking to reporters after a diplomatic briefing at the State Guest House Padma on Monday (December 2), Touhid Hossain said, "I see Mamata Banerjee's statement as a 'Mamata Banerjee-type statement' because I fail to understand why she made it."

Hossain, who has previously interacted with Mamata Banerjee personally, remarked, "I am familiar with her; I have even visited her home. This doesn’t seem like a suitable stance for someone like her."

He attributed the statement to political motivations, suggesting it might be aimed at bolstering her position in West Bengal politics. "Politicians often make statements driven by political considerations, and I believe this could be one such instance," he added.

Asked about the planned Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) scheduled for this month, Hossain said, "The FOC is supposed to take place. I believe it will proceed as planned. Both sides are committed to this."

The advisor refrained from further comments on Mamata Banerjee’s statement but emphasized that Bangladesh remains focused on maintaining positive diplomatic relations with India.