Bangladesh sees India’s reciprocal envoy call as ‘routine’, rejects unsolicited election advice

Following the summons of the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, the subsequent call for Bangladesh’s envoy in New Delhi is being regarded as “routine” by Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain.

On Wednesday, he described the reciprocal summoning as “not unexpected” and part of normal diplomatic practice. 

“We summoned their high commissioner, but our statements were not accepted; they disagree on some matters. Similarly, our high commissioner has also been called. This is quite ordinary. One is summoned, then the other,” he said.

Touhid, however, rejected India’s comments on the parliamentary elections, describing such “advice” as “unacceptable”. 

“The latest statement contains advice directed at us. I do not think such counsel is necessary. We do not seek guidance from our neighbours on how elections in Bangladesh should be conducted,” he said.

He emphasised that from its first day, the interim government has been committed to creating a high-quality electoral environment that encourages voter participation -- an atmosphere he said has been lacking for the past 15 years.