Bangladesh has lodged a strong protest with the government of India over the "false and fabricated comments and statements" continuously being made in different platforms, including social media by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, conveying the neighbouring country that these activities are "instigating instability" in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh handed over a protest note to Indian acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe, calling him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told the media on Thursday.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Adviser said Hasina’s recent remarks, seen as provocative by Dhaka, were very attacking, which might have hurt the young generation's sentiments.
"We will see what steps India takes," he said, adding that Dhaka keeps requesting India so that Hasina refrains from such activities.
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Adviser Hossain said Dhaka also requested New Delhi in the past of refraining Hasina from making such activities but Dhaka did not get any reply from New Delhi.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through acting High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, again protested such efforts today (Thursday).
Hossain said India claims they are not giving Sheikh Hasina any platform.
"We know it will come negatively (destruction at Dhanmondi 32)," said the Adviser when asked about international media's reaction.
"We see it as an expression of anger," he said, adding that the government would try to stop repetition of such thing.
Asked about signed agreements with India, the Foreign Adviser said the deal with Adani was not a good one, and it was not done protecting Bangladesh’s interests.
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Through the protest note, handed over to the acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the "deep concern, disappointment and serious reservation" of the government of Bangladesh, as such statements are hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh.
The Ministry also emphasised that such activities by her, are considered as a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the government of India to immediately take appropriate measures, in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, to stop her from making such false, fabricated and incendiary statements using social media and other communications while she is in India.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during his visit to Dhaka had highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.
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He had reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests.
The Indian Foreign Secretary had emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.