Sylhet: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Saturday affirmed Bangladesh's commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with India, despite ongoing challenges. He emphasized the importance of a good working relationship with the neighboring country, stating that the door for discussions would remain open.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Kobir made these remarks during an exchange of views with the Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA) in Sylhet. He highlighted the interconnected nature of foreign, economic, and security cooperation, stressing that these elements are particularly relevant to Bangladesh's foreign policy. Kobir underscored the necessity of integrating these areas to foster economic cooperation.
Addressing the challenges posed by India, Kobir noted the presence of "terrorists" in India who fled Bangladesh and mentioned that such issues could strain relations. He stated that Bangladesh's foreign policy is driven by national and public interests and that India must acknowledge these concerns. He urged India to understand the situation, referencing his two meetings with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi.
Kobir also commented on the need to address former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's presence in India, noting it sets a negative precedent regardless of the platform she uses. Regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's potential visit to India, he mentioned that it is unlikely before the upcoming UN General Assembly session, as the Prime Minister will be attending the event.
As Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming BRICS Summit remains uncertain, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated there is no update on Bangladesh's representation at the summit. Kobir added that while bilateral discussions on a potential visit by the Prime Minister to India are ongoing, no date has been finalized.
The meeting in Sylhet followed reports of harassment faced by journalists covering the State Minister's programme. Television journalists in Sylhet had decided to boycott news coverage of the State Minister and the local BNP after alleged harassment by political activists at the Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine.
Kobir, visiting Sylhet for the first time in his official capacity, also addressed questions regarding corruption in the energy sector, highlighting the government's prioritization of this area. He mentioned ongoing discussions about the Mecca Pact, indicating Bangladesh's potential involvement based on national interests.
On the purchase of Boeing aircraft, Kobir clarified that Bangladesh's decision to purchase from the United States was driven by demand, with future purchases contingent on necessity.