Interim government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said the government will leave after holding a fair and neutral election and reiterated their pledge to take steps against the perpetrators of recent incidents.

"Our key objective is to hold a fair and neutral election. Let's not speculate now," he said, without giving any idea about the tenure of the government at this moment.

The foreign adviser said transparency and honesty will be ensured in each step.

Responding to a question, he said they believe in balanced relations. "It does not carry any meaning if someone thinks that this interim government is only looking in a certain direction. We want to keep smooth and good relations with all."

Adviser Hossain on Sunday said the new interim government wants to take Bangladesh’s friendly relations with its neighbour India in such a direction where people feel that India is a very close friend of Bangladesh.

“The ties are not just between the two countries and two governments. People are very important in the overall relations of the two countries. We will try our best so that people of Bangladesh feel that India is our very close friend. We want this,” he said while responding to a question at the first media interaction at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

The adviser said Bangladesh seeks India’s support as they want to take this relationship to that people-centric direction.

Hossain said there is positive support from the international partners, and "their concerns are our concerns."

On minority issues, the adviser said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will sit with all representatives of the minority communities soon.

He hoped the law and order situation would significantly improve within a week.

Asked whether the government will bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said this is an issue for the Law Ministry and they will act only if they receive any such request from it.

Without mentioning any country regarding agreements, the adviser said people's expectations need to be fulfilled by making things feasible.

He said the ministry of foreign affairs will immediately start consultation for release of the 57 Bangladeshis arrested and sentenced by the UAE authority for protesting in support of the Bangladeshi students and people.

If needed, the chief adviser himself will talk to the concerned government, he said.

Meanwhile, the list of all contractual appointments is being prepared. While some disputed and controversial contracts shall be immediately terminated, the rest shall also be terminated in phases, according to a decision of the Advisory Council.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Spokesperson at the MoFA Seheli Sabrin were present.