Photo : Collected
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expresses cordial wish to work with interim government of Bangladesh. Experts of Dhaka think, this is the exact step to calm the on-going unrest created among the people of both countries.
India has underlined its desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh Misri said this to reporters after a courtesy call on Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Monday.
Earlier, he led the Foreign Office Consultation with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the state guest house Padma.
"The discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations, and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," Misri told reporters at the foreign ministry.
"I emphasised on a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh," he added.
Munshi Faiz Ahmad, former Ambassador told the Daily Messenger “This is the exact measure to control the unrest which has been created for various reasons after the fall of Awami League government. The government should think about betterment of both countries.”
He also suggested “The government officials should not give controversial statement. In fact, worm relationship with India is needed for both Dhaka and Delhi.”
Replying of a query, he said “Not only India, naturally bigger countries dominate the commercial deeds. As there are group against India, we give emphasis on Indian deal but we are not aware about the deal with USA and other big countries.”
Nasim Ferdush, Former Ambassador said “Indian central government is always cordial to keep the relation with Bangladesh calm. Yet, some unwanted incidents have been created in both countries. I think, yesterday’s meeting will help to control the unrest situation.”
Misri said they have always seen in the past and will continue to see in the future the relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship one that has the benefits of all the people as it's central motivational force.
"This is reflected on a daily basis with development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, energy, development and other areas of cooperation," he added.
Vikram Misri said there is no reason why this mutually beneficial relationship should not continue to develop in the interest of our people.
"To that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh authorities," he said.
The Indian foreign secretary also said, "We also had the opportunity to discuss certain developments and I'm issues and I conveyed the concerns, I including those related to the safety, security and welfare of the minorities."
He briefed reporters that they also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.
"We expect overall constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward looking and constructive direction."
This is the first visit of a secretary-level Indian government official since the fall of the Awami League government and the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who has been staying in India since 5 August.
Bangladesh and India have been embroiled in a bitter war of words, with the former emphasising that relations between the two going forward will have to take the changed reality since 5 August into consideration.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin told journalists after the Foreign Office Consultation with his Indian counterpart that Dhaka has asked New Delhi not to interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs.
"We said people of all religions in Bangladesh freely practice their faiths. This is our internal affair. It is not expected of other countries to make comments on our internal affairs. We don't do it for other countries," he said.
India recently issued statements after the arrest and denial of bail of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. There have been demonstrations in various parts of India and an attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala as well.
Messenger/Tushar
