Foreign Advisor Touhid blames Indian politicians in response to Jaishankar’s statement

He also describes Sheikh Hasina's remarks as ‘harmful’ to Dhaka-Delhi relations

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has hit back at the example of the anti-India rhetoric cited by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while speaking about improving relations with Bangladesh, stating counter accusations against neighbouring country’s politicians.

Highlighting that anti-Bangladesh statements are also coming from India while speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry on Monday, he said: “Their chief minister sends UN peacekeepers here if they can. One of their central ministers is constantly making anti-Bangladesh statements.

“So, assuming that these things will persist, we are trying to see if the relations can be improved. Instead of paying attention to what a few people utter around us, we are trying to improve ‘our’ ties."

Noting the "anti-India" rhetoric from interim government advisors at the Delhi University Literature Fest on Saturday, Jaishankar said Bangladesh must decide the nature of its relationship with India.

He emphasised that India had sent a "very clear signal" to Bangladesh that it wanted stability and good relations.

"We would like things to calm down, we would like the trade, the contacts, the other things; but obviously we would not like to see messaging and signalling which is continuously hostile in a way to India,” he said.

Jaishankar highlighted two key concerns for India regarding the current situation in Bangladesh, one of which is "the spate of attacks on minorities". Such incidents naturally influence India's stance, he explained. "It is something we have to speak up about, and we have done so.”

On the interim government's approach to relations with India, he said: “They have their politics, you can agree, you can disagree, but at the end of the day we are a neighbour. They have to make up their mind what kind of relationship they want with us."

“Because every day if any member of Bangladesh’s interim government stands up and blames India for everything, and some of the things if you see the reports, are absolutely ridiculous.”

Responding to all his statements, Touhid said the minority issue should be seen as an internal affair of Bangladesh.

Regarding anti-India statements, he said: "It is for India to decide what kind of relationship they want. However, he [Jaishankar] said that various people in Bangladesh’s interim government are making offensive anti-India remarks.

"I’m not going to judge this. But my point is that such statements are being made from ‘our’ side and from theirs also.”

Stating that it’s a decision of a specific country what kind of relationship it wants with others, he said: “Of course, Bangladesh will decide what kind of relationship it wants with India. Similarly, India has to decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh. It's about both sides and there's nothing wrong with saying that."

The foreign advisor said, "We want to have a good working relationship with India. We want that and it's based on mutual respect and interest. We are clear about this."

He also termed the remarks of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in India, as "harmful" to Dhaka-Delhi relations, saying: "Well, we have instability and we have to deal with it, but it is an acknowledged matter that her [Hasina’s] remarks are adding fuel to that.”

Regarding the suspension of almost all Indian visas, Touhid said: "It is completely their jurisdiction. We have nothing to say if they don't give us a visa. When visas are not being given or are being reduced drastically, we must find an alternative but we want a good relationship with India.”

On Jaishankar’s comments on minority persecution, he said: "These allegations are being made by different people in different places, mainly on the basis of a distorted flow of information created by the Indian media."

“On top of that, the minorities of Bangladesh cannot be a subject of India, it’s ‘our’ internal matter. For example, how the minorities of India will be taken care of is a matter of India. I believe we have to go by the non-interference policy in this matter.”

The interim government assumed office following massive student-led protests that toppled the Awami League administration on Aug 5.

Hasina fled to India, where she remains, while several senior leaders have been arrested, and many others have gone into hiding.

The interim government has moved to prosecute Hasina and others at the International Crimes Tribunal, citing the alleged crackdown on protesters under her administration as "genocide”.

Multiple arrest warrants have been issued against her.

On Dec 23, the interim government sent a diplomatic note to India, requesting her repatriation under an extradition treaty.

However, Indian media reports suggested that Delhi was reluctant to comply with the request and might take months to respond.

Since Hasina's departure, tensions between Bangladesh and India have been evident.

The interim government has accused her of attempting to destabilise Bangladesh from Indian soil, while New Delhi has raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has also criticised Indian media for "false and misleading propaganda" regarding the situation in the country.

Diplomatic tensions have also resulted in multiple instances of summoning each other’s envoys over border issues and remarks by Hasina.