Foreign Affairs Adviser On India Bangladesh Relations | Bangladesh wants friendly, normal relations with India

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Bangladesh wants to see a “normal and friendly” relationship protecting mutual interests with India.

He also said he sees West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on Bangladesh “as usual that goes with her persona”.

Mamata on Sunday urged the central government of India to seek the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in Bangladesh amid alleged attacks on Hindus, according to the Indian media.

While responding to a question at a media briefing, Adviser Touhid said politicians often make such remarks on various topics, but it was not a “right move” for Mamata. “I would like to see this as Mamata-like remarks. I don’t understand why she has made such remarks.”

Earlier, the adviser briefed the foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka at state guest house Padma about the allegations of attacks on religious minorities. He explained the government’s position and described the situation on the grounds.

“We are not saying that there are no such incidents of attacks on minorities, but those are isolated and happen more or less during all regimes,” Touhid said.

The government conveyed to the diplomats that religious harmony is part of the society and the government is firmly determined to maintain it.

But a section of the media, especially in India, is engaged in propaganda on the issue, the adviser said. He said there are efforts domestically and globally to give an impression that the country is heading towards a deteriorated situation.

“We should not forget that there is a global campaign (against the government) by a certain group,” he said, adding that the government will handle it with an iron hand if anyone tries to create chaos in the country.

Responding to a question, he said they did not say anything specific about India, but the media reports came up. A representative of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was also present at the briefing.

Responding to a question, Touhid said they shared with the diplomats under what circumstances former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested. He is now in jail.

He said the government will not allow any communal violence in the country and it sees all its citizens equally.

“We did not say that there is no problem in the country. There are issues, and we’re trying to fix them,” the adviser said, adding that they have successfully addressed issues in many areas.

Touhid acknowledged that there has been a change in the dynamics of bilateral relations with India since the August 5 political changeover.

Asked whether the scheduled Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with India will be held this month, he said, “I think so.”