Foreign Advisor Touhid calls out Indian media for 'hindering' bilateral ties

"Fact-checking has proved that many of their claims are completely false," he said, urging the Bangladeshi media to counter false narratives

Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain has flagged the Indian media's 'sudden hostility' towards Bangladesh as an 'obstacle' to establishing normal relations between the neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a discussion on 'Bangladesh-India Relations' at a private university in Dhaka on Saturday, Touhid said, "Indian media has become extremely aggressive. I have said this clearly and openly. I have mentioned it in various statements even after assuming this position."

On the Indian media's 'unhelpful' impact on bilateral relations, he added, "It's an obstacle. Only they know why they're doing this."

Touhid also urged the Bangladeshi media to play an active role in countering the 'falsehoods' spread by their Indian counterparts. "I'm not saying [our media should] mimic the Indian media. We don’t want that kind of reaction. But we should highlight the false narratives being spread.

"Fact-checking has proved that many of their claims are completely false. I believe our media can raise these issues more forcefully and provide more coverage. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement, it should be on the front page, not buried inside the paper."

The advisor further urged India to reconsider its stance on border killings, saying, "I have always been firm on the issue of border killings. When I met with Indian officials face-to-face, I told them this is absolutely unacceptable."

"This is the only border in the world where two countries are not at war, yet people are being shot and killed. This situation doesn't exist anywhere else."

He continued: "I have travelled to many countries and crossed numerous borders by land, bus, and car, but there is no environment like this. India must address this issue. It is a major barrier. However, it can be easily resolved."

Touhid emphasised the importance of national unity in driving the country forward. "The biggest issue we face is national unity. I have worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 33 years, from the lowest level to the highest position. Even in the 11 years after my retirement, I have remained involved in various issues. Many times, I've felt that we're falling behind because we lack national unity."

"In many instances where we could have achieved more, we failed simply because we lacked national unity."