Staff Correspondent
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain recently conveyed Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay
Verma that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent statements from India is not conducive to
improving Dhaka-Delhi ties.
"Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent statements made from India is not conducive in
improving Dhaka-Delhi relations … this is the stance of the Bangladesh's interim government," he told
reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon.
The foreign adviser was briefing journalists about outcomes of his separate meetings with numbers of
envoys stationed in Dhaka including Indian High Commissioner.
"The statements made by her (Hasina) from India is not convenient, not comfortable for the (interim)
government … we want to see that she (Hasina) would not do it (making statement) staying in India,"
Hossain said.
The adviser hoped that the Indian envoy will convey the Bangladesh's interim government's concern to
his headquarters in New Delhi.
The adviser said he also pointed out the highly exaggerated media campaign in India about happenings
in Bangladesh.
"I directly told him that Indian media has been exaggerating it that creates a bad environment … they
should (Indian media) not do it,” he added.
During the meeting, the adviser stressed on some key issues like stopping border killing, concluding
Teesta water sharing agreement and ensuring supply of essential commodities.
"On border killing, I told him that if we sincerely want, we can stop it, it’s my belief," Hossain said.
Regarding Teesta water sharing, the Adviser said, it is true there is no adequate water in Teesta river,
but there is water.
"I know there is scarcity of water (in Teesta river), but still water flow is there … I asked him, if there is
100 cusec of water, can't we get 30 cusec?" he said.
Hossain said he emphasized the importance on fostering more "people-centric engagement" with New
Delhi in the coming days.
"The (Dhaka-Delhi) tie should not be only government to government … people satisfaction should be
there … people need to believe that we have good relations with India," he said.
Earlier, in a press release, the foreign ministry said the Adviser reiterated that Bangladesh wants to work
closely with India for promoting bilateral relations.
The Indian high commissioner congratulated the Adviser on his new assignment and referred to the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good wishes to the Chief Adviser Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad
Yunus.
The envoy expressed the keen willingness of the Indian government to work with Bangladesh's interim
government in the coming days to fulfill the shared aspirations of peoples of both the countries.
The foreign affairs adviser thanked the Indian government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his
good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser on his assumption of new responsibility.
Hossain affirmed the interim government's commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different
communities in Bangladesh, including the minorities.
He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and
ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them.
All religious groups and the political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the
minorities, he added.
The foreign affairs adviser also briefed the high commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh.
He mentioned that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the
overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track.
