Dhaka: Bangladesh on Tuesday described India’s decision to cancel the Europe-Asia Relations programme, scheduled for August 29 and reportedly set to be attended by several Awami League (now under a ban on its activities) leaders, as a ‘positive, good and expected initiative’. Bangladesh also said a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India would depend on a conducive environment and the availability of the two prime ministers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir addressed reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating, “The incident you described is a positive thing. Good initiative. expected initiative. We will not give space in Dhaka to any terrorist fleeing from India. Similarly, we don’t expect any terrorist fleeing from Bangladesh to get space in Delhi or anywhere in India.”
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia), the Hand in Hand Foundation and their organising partners had expressed regret over the programme’s cancellation, as per a media release. The organisers cited “unexplained interventions by Delhi Police” as the reason for being unable to host the scheduled function.
When asked about the potential impact on the proposed visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, Kobir clarified that discussions were ongoing and no date had been agreed upon, thus the process had not stalled.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi emphasized the need for both countries to progress while acknowledging the challenges each faces. He warned that dwelling on historical issues could hinder development and people-to-people ties.
Trivedi remarked on the importance of mutual understanding and appreciation of democratic challenges faced by both nations. “As neighbours, we are equal. Nobody is big, nobody is small,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of moving forward without being trapped by past grievances.
His comments followed a courtesy meeting with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at the Secretariat, attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mir Shahe Alam.
The High Commissioner also extended his greetings on the 48th Founding Day of the BNP, recognizing it as a significant occasion. “It’s a Founding Day (of BNP), very important day. I congratulated him, his party and all,” he said.