Dhaka aims to maintain working relations with Delhi: foreign adviser

Dhaka would seek to preserve working relations with New Delhi by resolving the ongoing tension between the two neighboring nations, according to Foreign Advisor Md. Touhid Hosain.

“We must try to maintain a working relation between Dhaka and New Delhi,” he told newsmen at the foreign ministry here while revealing about the bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on the sideline of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

According to Hossain, there is potential to improve the bilateral ties between Dhaka and New Delhi. “Sorting out of all issues, we want to further advance our relationship based on mutual respect and fairness,” he stated.

Hossain stated, “We must recognize the tension,” acknowledging the present conflict between the two countries. We won’t be able to remedy the issues if we don’t confront them.

In response to a query regarding a possible meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus on the fringes of UNGA, he made it clear that there would be no meeting because Modi is scheduled to depart New York before Prof. Yunus arrives.

When asked if the absence of the meeting was linked to comments made by the interim government and reported in Indian media, Hossain downplayed the suggestion and said top Indian leaders have made comments in the past too but that is not something that prevents the leaders from holding meetings.

“There may also be cases when Bangladesh does not like many comments from India. This is not a major issue. We cannot change our neighbours but can only coexist with good relationship,” he observed. 

According to Hossain, Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus will give a speech at the high-level General Debate on September 27 and leave for New York on September 23 to attend the 79th UNGA.

He further stated that the Chief Adviser is anticipated to give a detailed explanation of the extraordinary popular uprising that has occurred in Bangladesh during the last two months and will reaffirm his unwavering commitment to creating a state that is people-centered, welfare-oriented, and equal.