Sheikh Hasina’s India Visit Won’t Affect Bilateral Relations, Says Bangladesh Interim Govt

Sheikh Hasina’s Stay in India Will Not Affect Bilateral Relations, Says Bangladesh Interim Govt

Dhaka: On Monday, a senior advisor to Bangladesh’s caretaker government addressed concerns about the impact of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India on bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. Md Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Advisor, assured that Hasina’s presence in India would not harm the long-standing relationship between the two countries. He stressed that Dhaka remains committed to maintaining strong ties with New Delhi despite the current situation.

Hossain made these remarks in response to questions about whether Hasina’s extended stays in India could affect bilateral relations. The counselor was clear in her position, saying, “This is a hypothetical question. If one stays in a country, why would relations with that particular country be affected? There’s no reason for that.” He highlighted that the nature of bilateral relations is substantial and involves various factors beyond individual circumstances.

Sheikh Hasina, who is 76, resigned from her post and fled to India last week amid widespread protests in Bangladesh. The protests were mainly centered around a controversial quota system in job allocation, which caused significant public unrest. Despite the upheaval, Hossain stressed that the essence of bilateral relations is rooted in mutual interests and that such relations are not influenced by transitory events.

Hossain further elaborated that both Bangladesh and India have shared interests that guide their diplomatic engagements. He noted that friendship between nations is dependent on mutual interests being upheld and respected. According to Hossain, “Friendship does not exist if the interest is harmed,” underscoring the importance of maintaining a focus on common interests.

The Foreign Adviser reassured that the caretaker government of Bangladesh is committed to preserving positive relations with India. He reiterated that Dhaka would continue to work to maintain good relations with its neighbor and that the two countries would stick to their shared interests despite the current challenges.

In summary, the caretaker government of Bangladesh remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a strong relationship with India, irrespective of the current political developments involving Sheikh Hasina. The focus, according to Hossain, will continue to be on the broader context of bilateral relations and mutual interests, ensuring that the partnership remains resilient and productive.