DHAKA: Interim government’s foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said both the governments in Bangladesh and India had very good and deep relations but it is also important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh.
“It is important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh,” he said while responding to a question during his first interaction with the media at the ministry of foreign affairs.
The adviser said people’s expectations need to be fulfilled by making things visible.
Hossain said there are positive support from the international partners to the interim government, and “their concerns are our concerns.”
On minority issues, the adviser said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will sit with all representatives of the minority soon.
He hoped the law and order situation would significantly improve within a week.
Asked whether the government will bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said this is an issue for the Law Ministry and if they will act only they receive any such request from the Law Ministry.
Hossain said the government will leave through holding a fair and neutral election and reiterated government’s pledge to take steps against the perpetrators responsible for recent incidents.
“Our key goal is to hold a fair and neutral election. Let’s not speculate now,” he said, without giving any idea about the tenure of the government at this moment.
The foreign adviser said transparency and honesty will be ensured in each step.
Responding to a question, he said they believe in balanced relations. “It does not carry any meaning if someone thinks that this interim government is only looking at a certain direction. We want to keep smooth and good relations with all.”
“It is important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh,” he said while responding to a question during his first interaction with the media at the ministry of foreign affairs.
The adviser said people’s expectations need to be fulfilled by making things visible.
Hossain said there are positive support from the international partners to the interim government, and “their concerns are our concerns.”
On minority issues, the adviser said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will sit with all representatives of the minority soon.
He hoped the law and order situation would significantly improve within a week.
Asked whether the government will bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said this is an issue for the Law Ministry and if they will act only they receive any such request from the Law Ministry.
Hossain said the government will leave through holding a fair and neutral election and reiterated government’s pledge to take steps against the perpetrators responsible for recent incidents.
“Our key goal is to hold a fair and neutral election. Let’s not speculate now,” he said, without giving any idea about the tenure of the government at this moment.
The foreign adviser said transparency and honesty will be ensured in each step.
Responding to a question, he said they believe in balanced relations. “It does not carry any meaning if someone thinks that this interim government is only looking at a certain direction. We want to keep smooth and good relations with all.”