Describing the Indian government as “very mature” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said if New Delhi does something for them, regional peace and stability, this will certainly be beneficial to the region.
Momen said India is a very strong democratic country and they (India) do whatever they think good for them.
“We have no reason to comment about this. Because we believe they have a mature government system,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign minister made the remarks when his comment was sought on recent reports run by Anandabazar Patrika and DW Bangla.
India has conveyed to the US that the way various steps are being taken by the US to destabilize the Hasina government is not positive for the overall security of India as a neighbouring country and South Asia as a whole, reports Anandabazar Patrika.
Read: India stands beside Bangladesh as steadfast partner: High Commissioner
India is not happy with the current role of America centering the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and this message has also been conveyed to Washington, said the newspaper published from Kolkata, West Bengal, quoting unnamed sources.
Political leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties spoke soon after the reports run by two media outlets.
The media briefing was arranged to highlight Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to South Africa.
Read: BRICS Summit: Hasina, Modi likely to hold meeting on the sidelines
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, among others, were present.
BRICS Summit
PM Hasina will leave Dhaka for Johannesburg, South Africa on August 22 to attend the BRICS Summit and hold a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines while there.
"We will arrange a number of meetings on the sidelines. These are yet to get final shape as such meetings are finalised at the last minute. It is in the process," the foreign minister said.
Responding to a question, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the government is planning to hold a number of meetings both in South Africa and India.
Read: Momen sends letter to Antony Blinken, expresses sadness over losses in Maui wildfire
"As we will have limited time in South Africa, we will try to hold those meetings (with heads of governments and states) that are possible while the rest can take place in New Delhi," he said.
Around 22 countries have shown interest to be members of BRICS and the five original members are trying to build consensus among them to take new members, the foreign minister said.
"We don't know when the new members will join," he said.
Indian Prime Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the global leaders who are traveling to the African country this week.
They will be visiting Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22 to 24 to attend the 15th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.
Modi will hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders present in Johannesburg, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs without mentioning names.
PM Hasina will also attend the G20 Summit in India in September.
The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10 will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.
A G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, stating leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings.
Foreign Minister Momen had earlier told reporters that New Delhi will be better than Johannesburg for a bilateral meeting with Indian PM Modi. The two countries are already in touch regarding the meeting.