Dhaka on Thursday reacted sharply to Delhi’s recent comments on elections, law and order and minority issues, stressing that Bangladesh believes these are purely internal matters.
"Such comments from India are unwarranted and tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of another country," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam told reporters during a media briefing while responding to a question.
He said such comments are "misleading and a false reflection of reality."
At the weekly briefing, Rafiqul said Bangladesh firmly believes in the principle of non-interference in the sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal affairs of all countries.
He added that Bangladesh is committed to building friendly and constructive relations with India based on mutual respect, trust and understanding.
From that perspective, the spokesperson said Dhaka hopes that the relevant authorities of the Indian government will take necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such comments.
Notably, India laid emphasis on Friday on resolving all issues in Bangladesh through democratic means and by holding “inclusive and participatory” elections.
At a media briefing in New Delhi, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said they support a “stable, peaceful, inclusive and progressive” Bangladesh in which all issues are resolved through democratic means and by holding “inclusive and participatory” elections.
Responding to a question, Jaiswal also expressed concerns over "deteriorating law and order" in Bangladesh, which he claimed has been further exacerbated by the release of violent extremists who were sentenced for serious crimes.
On violence against minorities, including Hindus, he said they expect Bangladesh to thoroughly investigate and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence to justice without making such distinctions.