Bangladesh: India-US differences sharpen

India is not on the 'same page' with US on Bangladesh, senior officials in Delhi said on Wednesday.

Media reports in Dhaka attributed to US embassy sources have been suggesting that India and US have arrived at an understanding after America's Dhaka envoy Dan Mozena visited Delhi last week and had consultations with officials of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"Our attention has been drawn to these reports and we find it very misleading," a senior MEA official told bdnews24.com. But he was not willing to be named.

He said Mozena came to India on his own and was briefed about Indian policy on Bangladesh in 'no uncertain terms'.

"We are opposed to any foreign interference in Bangladesh and would rather let its people decide the future of the country through inclusive and peaceful elections that would strengthen Bangladesh's democracy," the official said.

He said it was up to the political parties in Bangladesh to decide how to go about the upcoming parliamentary elections.

MEA officials told bdnews24.com that India was grateful to Bangladesh for addressing her security concerns.

India remains satisfied that "Bangladesh has in recent years cracked down on terror and insurgents who are as much a threat to Bangladesh as to India”, a senior MEA official dealing with Bangladesh said.

"India is also happy to see all round development in Bangladesh, particularly in the achievement of the MDGs."

"As a neighbour, we hope Bangladesh will continue this policy of friendship in future as well, irrespective of who is in power in Dhaka," the official said.

Indian diplomats in Dhaka told bdnews24.com that it was up to the US to decide its course of action in Bangladesh, but it would be unfair to suggest India was on the 'same page'.

"If they want to take sides and back someone, it is up to them. But we are upset if someone says we are on the same page with them,” said a senior Indian diplomat in Dhaka.

“We never support any interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, much as we will not tolerate any interference by anyone in the internal affairs of India."

He added that India had a clear and independent policy which took into account the people of Bangladesh.

“We are neither being the spokesperson for any party nor do we have luxury of distance as some countries do. We all know who was on which side in 1971.”

He suggested India appreciated the Chinese stand on Bangladesh which supported a dialogue between the two leading parties to break the current political impasse.

“That's a constructive stand.”

The Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun recently called for 'wisdom rather than violence' to work out a political consensus to ensure peaceful elections and democratic transition.

When Ambassador Dan Mozena's reactions were sought, the US embassy said his position has been made clear in a press statement issued on Oct 27.

In that statement, Ambassador Mozena had said that he hoped all major parties in Bangladesh would engage ‘in constructive dialogue to find an agreed way forward to hold free, fair and credible elections’.

Mozena had said that 'violence is never the answer' and that the US is 'concerned by the violence and deaths that have occurred' and would expect the Bangladesh government to 'ensure the safety of all its citizens'.