Bangladesh needs ‘balanced relations’ with India, China, US: Touhid Hossain

Highlights

• Touhid stresses Bangladesh’s need to maintain balanced ties with India, China, and the US
• He highlights unity’s significance in achieving independence and addressing national issues
• Citizens must hold political parties accountable to uphold democratic values

Bangladesh must maintain “balanced relations” with India, China, and the United States, as all three nations hold strategic importance for the country, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (28 December).

“Bangladesh holds interests in all countries, and it’s crucial for us to remember this,” he said during a national dialogue hosted by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the Krishibid Institute Bangladesh.

The adviser highlighted the trade relations between India and China, despite their differences, as well as India’s close ties with the US, and stressed that it is important for Bangladesh to maintain good relations with all these three countries.

Pointing at the dialogue theme – Unity, Reform and Elections – Touhid said unity was the most important thing. “Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 against Pakistan as the people of the country demonstrated unity.”

Talking about the responsibility of the political parties to have stronger democracy, he said it is the responsibility of the people to observe and act if the political parties deviate from their key values.

“If a democratic society can be established, mass people’s interests will get priority,” he said.

He hoped that the elected government would meet people’s expectations of running the country in a united way.

The foreign adviser also talked about the Rohingya crisis and the government’s efforts to deal with the situation.

Turning to the six-nation consultation recently held in Bangkok under the chairmanship of the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Touhid said he told the meeting that Bangladesh’s interests need to be looked at.

Referring to his meeting in Bangkok, the foreign adviser said, “I told them in no uncertain terms that peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the Rohingyas lodged in Bangladesh can go back to their homes with security and rights.”

Myanmar and the regional powers have a responsibility to foster a conducive environment for the Rohingyas’ return, he stated. “Since it was an informal discussion, I had the opportunity to elaborate, and I clearly outlined our position.”