Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has said those who are proven to be Indian nationals must be taken back as India has recently pushed in several hundred people into Bangladesh.
The adviser, while responding to questions from journalists at the foreign ministry on Wednesday, said that he was not aware yet of any clear decision regarding the push back of individuals who were forcibly sent by the Indian border guards.
When asked whether Indian nationals or Rohingyas who have been pushed into Bangladesh would be pushed back, Hossain said, he did not have seen any clear decision in this matter as of now.
“Generally, we do not engage in push-back. But the issue is, those who are proven to be Indian citizens must be taken back,” the adviser told reporters.
Asked whether Bangladesh is communicating with India to stop such push-ins, he said, “We are maintaining communication with Delhi and are trying to ensure that nothing occurs outside the rules.”
When asked about India’s response, he said, “We do not expect a reaction within a day. They have shared some aspects of their position.”
The adviser explained Dhaka’s position that the method of sending people by force is not acceptable.
“We are trying to make them understand that we have a standard operating procedure, and we will act accordingly. They have provided a list, and we are verifying it through the Ministry of Home Affairs,” continued the foreign affairs adviser.
Asked whether the government reviewed or cancelled any of the previous agreements signed with India, the adviser replied in the negative.
“Various small agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed at different times, and these were shared with the media immediately. Such agreements must be cancelled with the consent of both parties, or if there is a provision that allows cancellation upon objection from one side. We have not cancelled any agreements. Our intent is for everything to proceed according to the rules,” he added.
Efforts are underway to identify Bangladesh’s position and the problematic areas within these agreements, he said adding that discussion with India would take place in due course of time.
When asked if India is violating the rules, the adviser said, “Rules can be interpreted in different ways — sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. Overall, we are proceeding accordingly. No one admits to breaking the rules.”
In response to a question about whether Bangladesh has communicated with India regarding the reported halt of garment exports through Indian land ports, the adviser said, “A letter is being sent regarding this.”
The matter is being handled by the ministry of commerce, he said.