The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said Bangladesh needs to 'ascertain the will and mandate' of the people by holding an 'inclusive, fair and free' elections at an early date.

“We have articulated our position very clearly, as far as elections in Bangladesh are concerned, and we have done so consistently,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question at a regular briefing in New Delhi.

A journalist drew his attention regarding statements linking the problems in Bangladesh to India's hegemony.

In reply Jaiswal said as far as the government there (in Bangladesh) is concerned, it is their personal responsibility to handle any governmental or governance-related issues or problems there.

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“When statements of this sort came it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance there — and to blame others by saying that these extraneous issues caused by others are the reason for these problems — does not solve the issue,” he said.

On May 25, President of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus told them that the country is in a big crisis due to Indian hegemony.

"He (Prof Yunus) started the discussion by saying that we are in a very big crisis. He talked about the conspiracy of Indian hegemony while referring to this crisis. Indian hegemony does not want to accept this change (here) at all. If they can, they want to destroy us in one day, and they are doing whatever they need to do for that. These were his words," Manna said quoting the Chief Adviser.

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Jaiswal said they want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one that is anchored in meeting the aspirations and the interest of people of both sides.