State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh is pursuing a forward-looking approach in its engagement with New Delhi and that the Indian government will have to clear whether it supports the planned online meeting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want it to be damaged, and I firmly believe that India doesn't want it either. So, India has to clear whether it is supporting it or not,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know about Hasina’s planned virtual programme in New Delhi, scheduled for August 5.
Hasina will be arrested whenever she comes to Bangladesh: Shama Obaed
The State Minister referred to the recent meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi and said they want the Bangladesh-India relationship to improve. “You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new High Commissioner who came here. We had a lot of good discussions.”
Indian media reported that Hasina is set to make her first public appearance in India exactly two years after she fled the country following a massive student-led protest.
According to multiple media reports, Hasina will attend a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi.
“We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that," said the State Minister.
Responding to a separate question, she said Bangladesh could communicate with the Indian government if it considers it necessary over the reported event in India on August 5 involving Hasina, while stressing that Dhaka does not want the issue to undermine bilateral relations.
The State Minister, however, said the reported programme is not being organised by the Indian government and Dhaka would decide on any diplomatic communication if circumstances required.
"If we think it is necessary, the government will contact the relevant foreign ministry," she said.
Asked whether Bangladesh would formally protest or seek an explanation from New Delhi before the reported event, Shama Obaed said the Indian government is not organising the programme.
Referring to Hasina and other Awami League leaders staying abroad, the State Minister said Bangladesh has repeatedly conveyed its position to India that fugitives or convicted individuals should not use Indian soil for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.
She said the issue has been raised both verbally and in writing during bilateral engagements.
Shama Obaed also referred to recent remarks by the Indian government, saying New Delhi had indicated it did not expect a fugitive accused to make political statements from Indian territory.
She said political activities by fugitives from India that sought to create instability in Bangladesh could negatively affect bilateral relations.
"It can. But we don't want that," she said when asked whether such programmes could damage ties between the two neighbours.
On Bangladesh's broader foreign policy, Shama Obaed said the country would maintain balanced relations with all partners based on its national interests.
"Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country," she said. "We will maintain relations with everyone while protecting Bangladesh's interests."
Shama Obaed said Dhaka would continue to engage with India, China and other countries in areas including trade, investment and bilateral cooperation.
Asked about an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September, she indicated that no decision had yet been made.
"Time will tell.... I can’t tell you now," she said, adding that the Prime Minister would decide on overseas visits at an appropriate time.
The State Minister mentioned two separate invitations extended to the Prime Minister in February and the recent one, and said the Prime Minister is spending 24 hours a day on Bangladesh's affairs. “So, time will tell when, how and in which country he will take a decision.”
India, which is going to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, last month invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the important event, which will focus on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.
Inviting his Bangladesh counterpart and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security, and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies.
“I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique in February this year.