Referring to Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed to Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Wednesday that "such statements of the former prime minister emanating from India are not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement after the high commissioner paid a courtesy call on Wednesday.
Media reports earlier suggested that Sheikh Hasina after taking shelter in India made a statement that the US was behind the recent unrest that forced her to leave the office of Prime Minister on August 5.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, however, rejected such statement.
The adviser stressed on more “people-centric engagement” in the upcoming days with India.
He particularly stressed on some key issues like stopping Border Killing, conclusion of Teesta Water sharing Agreement, and ensuring supply of essential commodities, the foreign ministry said.
The adviser also mentioned about highly exaggerated media campaign about happenings in Bangladesh.
He mentioned that Bangladesh wants to work closely with India for promoting bilateral relations.
During the meeting, the adviser briefed the high commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh.
He mentioned that Bangladesh witnessed a second liberation last week through a mass uprising spearheaded by valiant students.
"The combined forces of the students and people have emerged victorious against the forces of authoritarianism and repression in their quest for ending discriminations and inequities.
"The fearless student movement against a discriminatory public service recruitment system soon morphed into a nation-wide revolutionary struggle to establish a rules-based, just, fair and inclusive society," he told the Indian envoy.
Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus agreed to take the helm of the interim government at the request of the students and people, he said.
The adviser also 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.
The government is working on meaningful reforms and a lasting transformation to fulfill the aspiration of the people, especially the youth.
The government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and create an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections, he said.
He thanked the government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the chief adviser on his assumption of his new responsibilities.
The Indian high commissioner congratulated the foreign adviser on his new responsibilities.
He referred to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes to the people and expressed the keen willingness of the government of India to work with the interim government in the coming days to fulfill the shared aspirations of peoples from both countries.
The adviser also affirmed 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.
He added that all religious groups and other political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the minorities.
