The Bangladesh interim government holds no political ambitions and is solely focused on fostering a healthy democratic environment in the country, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed to UK Minister Catherine West on Sunday.
"I made it clear to her... we have no political ambitions. Our aim is to relinquish power only after ensuring a robust democratic system," he told reporters at the foreign ministry.
The adviser met with the visiting UK minister, who serves as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, earlier in the day.
During their discussions, Dhaka sought London’s support for the interim government’s reform initiatives. “They expressed their willingness to cooperate and sought details on how the UK can support the interim government,” Touhid said.
Touhid also stressed the need for stronger cooperation with the UK in tracing and repatriating stolen assets to Bangladesh, which he described as a key priority for the interim government. “We want to pursue this (asset recovery) confidentially... and we are working with several countries to this end,” he added.
Responding to a query, Touhid confirmed that the foreign ministry has extended support to former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in processing her British visa.
The meeting covered a range of bilateral issues, including priorities for both the British and Bangladeshi governments. Touhid thanked the UK government for its continued support of the interim government, acknowledging Britain’s role in promoting political stability and democratic progress in Bangladesh.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and enhancing the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Catherine West became the first UK minister to visit Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government.
"We know that the interim government in Bangladesh has committed to restoring peace and order, ensuring accountability, and promoting national reconciliation. It has the full support of the UK government in these objectives," she told reporters after the meeting.
The UK minister, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for a two-day visit, emphasized that the people of Bangladesh deserve a pathway to a "peaceful future and accountability" following a period of turbulence.
Catherine welcomed the interim government's determination to build a better democratic future for the people of Bangladesh.
"As we share a strong and steadfast friendship with the people of Bangladesh, we want to deepen our partnerships, focusing on the democratic future while also addressing key areas such as economics, trade, security, migration, and climate change," she said.
"There is so much we do together, and we must continue to work collaboratively," she added.
