Shama Obaed says India should ‘seize opportunity’ to ease Bangladesh ties

India should “seize the opportunity” to ease tensions with Bangladesh if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visits New Delhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said.

She said a meeting between the two prime ministers could open the door to resolving several bilateral issues.

“The opportunity is there, it remains. India should also make good use of that opportunity,” Shama told reporters at the foreign ministry.

She also pointed to Bangladesh’s objection to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina being allowed to make political statements from India.

“We have already said that when a convicted suspect speaks while sitting on Indian soil, the people of Bangladesh will not take it well,” she said.

She said memories of the July Uprising remained fresh: “The bloodstains have not yet dried. So, from that perspective, we certainly have to be sensitive.”

Shama said no dates had been fixed for Tarique’s proposed visits to India or Japan.

“Nothing has been finalised yet, including the India visit. It will certainly be finalised through discussions with the two countries,” she said.

She said the government remained positive about a possible India visit, but it would depend on the premier’s schedule and progress in bilateral talks.

Asked whether Tarique would attend the BRICS summit or make a bilateral visit, Shama said: “BRICS is still a long way off. A lot can happen in a month.”