India has claimed that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh.
A press release issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday, in response to “assertions” made by the interim government of Bangladesh, read, “We [India] have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere.
“We [India] expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections.”
Earlier in the day, a Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release confirmed that Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma was summoned on Sunday to convey Dhaka’s serious concerns to Delhi for allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to continue to make incendiary statements.
The ministry pointed out that Hasina has been calling upon her supporters to engage in terrorist activities in Bangladesh, aiming to thwart the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to a press release issued Sunday.
The release added that Bangladesh reiterated her call for the expeditious extradition of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face the sentences handed down by the judicial authorities in Bangladesh.
The ministry also drew the attention of the envoy to anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members staying in India, including planning, organizing and helping to carry out terrorist activities inside Bangladesh in order to hinder the upcoming elections.
The Indian government was called upon to expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists and extradite them to Bangladesh as soon as possible.
The ministry further sought India’s cooperation in preventing the escape to India of the suspects involved in the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi and, in case they manage to enter Indian territory, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition to Bangladesh.
The ministry emphasised that as a neighbour, India is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes.
