Unique relations with India will flourish further with PM’s visit: Foreign Minister

The foreign minister has termed Bangladesh, India relations “unique and multidimensional” and said it would flourish further during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to New Delhi.

“We can expect newer efforts and fruitful discussion of issues of bilateral interests to deepen the existing good relations further,” AH Mahmood Ali said on Tuesday, speaking at a discussion.

The dates of the prime minister’s visit has not been announced officially, but officials at the foreign ministry told bdnews24.com on Tuesday that the PM is expected to leave Dhaka on Dec 18 on a three-day visit.

'Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee', a civic body formed in 1992 to press the trials of 1971 war criminals home, organised the discussion on Bangladesh-India relations, marking the Dec 6 when India recognised Bangladesh as an independent state during the war against Pakistan in 1971.

Some of the speakers at the discussion highlighted India’s role in the war of Bangladesh’s independence, and asked the government to sever ties with Pakistan for killing three million people during the war and now “patronizing” terrorists in Bangladesh.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla also attended and took part in the discussion.

The foreign minister, however, did not mention Pakistan in his speech rather, he expounded on Indo-Bangladesh relations saying “the future of Bangladesh and India is interlinked”.

He said during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit, Bangladesh would officially announce its initiative to honour the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting with Bangladesh freedom fighters.

“We have to work together to tackle challenges and build a joint prosperous future,” he said.

He said the spirit of 1971 was still prevailing in the relations which would help each other to cooperate.

High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla said due to political will, both neighbours were able to resolve the maritime boundary as well as land boundary issues.

Sever ties with Pakistan

'Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee’s Acting President Shahriar Kabir, Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury, a former Supreme Court judge, and Nuzhat Choudhury, daughter of martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chaudhury demanded the government should sever all ties with Pakistan.

Kabir termed Pakistan “breeder and exporter” of terrorists and said their High Commission in Dhaka was sheltering terrorists.

Nuzhat Choudhury asked the government “why do we need relations with a country who caused the death of 3 million people and never said sorry”.

“We don’t need any relations with Pakistan,” she asserted.

Justice Choudhury said India is the “best and greatest” friend of Bangladesh while “Pakistan is the biggest enemy, no doubt”.

“We can’t forget India’s role,” he said, asking, “Why we need diplomatic relations with Pakistan?”

“If the Pakistan mission has to stay in Dhaka, it must stay in a skeleton capacity,” he said.

He also criticised BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for what he said his efforts to make 'Bangladesh Pakistan again' after 1975 changeover, when Bangabandhu was killed, by rehabilitating Pakistani collaborators.