State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said India should clarify whether it supported a planned online programme involving former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on 5 August.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama said Bangladesh was pursuing a forward-looking approach in its engagement with India and did not want the reported event to affect bilateral relations.
“We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We do not want it to be damaged, and I firmly believe India does not want that either. Therefore, India has to clarify whether it supports the programme,” she said, reports UNB.
Indian media have reported that Hasina is set to make her first public appearance in India exactly two years after leaving Bangladesh following a mass student-led protest.
According to the reports, she is expected to join a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi.
Referring to a recent meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, Shama said Dhaka wanted relations between the two countries to improve.
“You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new high commissioner. We held many constructive discussions,” she said.
“We want relations with India to improve. I believe India wants that as well.”
Responding to a question, the state minister said Bangladesh could communicate with the Indian government if it considered such a step necessary over the reported event.
She, however, noted that the programme was not being organised by the Indian government and said Dhaka would decide whether diplomatic communication was required depending on the circumstances.
“If we think it is necessary, the government will contact the relevant foreign ministry,” she said.
Asked whether Bangladesh would formally protest or seek an explanation from New Delhi before the event, Shama reiterated that the Indian government was not organising it.
Referring to Hasina and other Awami League leaders staying abroad, she said Bangladesh had repeatedly conveyed its position to India that fugitives or convicted individuals should not use Indian territory for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.
She said the matter had been raised both verbally and in writing during bilateral engagements.
Shama also referred to recent remarks by the Indian government, saying New Delhi had indicated that it did not expect a fugitive accused to make political statements from Indian soil.
Asked whether political activities by fugitives in India could damage relations between the two countries, she said: “They can. But we do not want that.”
On Bangladesh’s broader foreign policy, Shama said the country would maintain balanced relations with all partners based on its national interests.
“Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country. We will maintain relations with everyone while protecting Bangladesh’s interests,” she said.
She said Dhaka would continue engaging with India, China and other countries in areas including trade, investment and bilateral cooperation.
Asked whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend the BRICS Summit in September, Shama said no decision had yet been made.
“Time will tell. I cannot tell you now,” she said, adding that the prime minister would decide on overseas visits at an appropriate time.
She referred to two separate invitations extended to the prime minister — one in February and another recently — and said Tarique was devoting all his time to the country’s affairs.
“Time will tell when, how and which country he decides to visit,” she said.
India, which is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September, invited Tarique last month to attend the event, which will focus on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also invited Tarique and his family to visit India in February, saying Bangladesh and India could become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, contribute to each other’s security and promote mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies.
“I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation and advance our common goals in connectivity, trade, technology, education, skills development, energy, healthcare, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in a letter handed to Tarique in February.
