Bangladesh has been engaged with other countries in combating global terrorism, including the threat of the Islamic State (IS); but it does not want to be involved in any military intervention, the foreign secretary has said.
“We are engaged with many countries including the US and the UAE, as Bangladesh has zero tolerance towards terrorism,” Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed terrorism and the IS issue with UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai last month.
Also last month, the foreign secretary discussed the issue with US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman during a partnership dialogue.
“Bangladesh is not considering military intervention, but will take part in any UN-led humanitarian assistance programme,” Shahidul said.
The Islamic State, a threat to peace and security in the Middle East, IS has wrested control of a vast tract of Iraq and Syria. A UN Security Council resolution on foreign fighters and financing was adopted on September 25 and is binding on all member states.
“I discussed the issue with the US side during the dialogue and they assured me that Washington would not impose anything on Dhaka,” he said.
Washington was ready to share information if Dhaka asked for it, the foreign secretary added.
Bangladeshi foreign policy condemns all forms of terrorism irrespective of who carries it out, and is for upholding the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Iraq and Syria, Shahidul said.
A US-led coalition of about 50 countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and UAE are fighting against the IS.
A joint statement issued after Hasina’s visit to the UAE read: “In regard to peace and security, the two sides discussed the situations in the Middle East and underscored the need for the maintenance of peace and stability for the sustainable development of the region.”
The foreign secretary said the UAE, a major regional participant in the US-led coalition against the IS, wants Bangladesh on its side as it fights against the malice in Iraq and Syria.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has turned down a US request to join the military coalition it was leading against the IS, saying that it would only join a UN-led humanitarian intervention.
