Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday described the United States’ decision to impose a visa bond requirement on Bangladeshi nationals as “unfortunate and painful,” though not unexpected.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the measure was not directed solely at Bangladesh. “This is not only about Bangladesh. Several other countries have also been included. Countries facing immigration-related problems are on the list,” he said.
Asked whether Dhaka would raise the issue with Washington, Touhid said the decision was recent and discussions are yet to take place. “It has just happened. We will try to take up the matter with the US administration,” he added.
Addressing the underlying causes, the foreign adviser said irregular migration could not be attributed to the interim government alone.
“If this problem had emerged in the last year, we could take full responsibility and try to resolve it. But irregular migration has been going on for a long time. In terms of policy responsibility, all previous governments share the blame,” he said, adding that reversing the trend overnight is not realistic.
Touhid said the interim government had spoken out against irregular migration from its first day in office.
“The only solution is to curb irregular migration. We will be in office for just another 35 days. The next elected government will need broader social support to effectively tackle this issue,” he noted.
Recent tensions involving India
Commenting on recent tensions involving India, Touhid said he supported the position taken by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul.
“Let me be very brief,” he said. “If the security of one cricketer cannot be ensured during a short stay, how can the safety of an entire team and Bangladeshi supporters be guaranteed? How can we trust that adequate security will be provided?”
He further alleged that Hindutva organisations were actively running anti-Bangladesh campaigns in India. “Given this reality, it will be difficult for the Indian authorities to ensure the safety of the Bangladesh team and its supporters,” he added.
