India responsible for Hasina’s status
Diplomatic Correspondent :
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it has no information regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acquiring Indian citizenship, stating that her status of staying there is a matter for the Indian government.
“We don’t have any information on whether former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has acquired Indian citizenship. Her status in India is a matter for Indian government,” Director General and Spokesperson of the Public Diplomacy Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said this on Thursday in reply to a question.
When asked about the disclosure of treaties between Bangladesh and India, he informed journalists that these agreements are not available on Bangladesh’s website but can be found on India’s website.
“All agreements with India are on the public domain. You can view them on the website of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs,” he said.
On the query to review all agreements with India, the spokesperson noted that bilateral agreements with India have been made with various ministries and agencies.
“If any ministry feels the need to review them, they can do so,” he stressed.
In response to another question, the spokesperson remarked, “I am not aware of any secret agreements with India.”
When asked if India is delaying the approval of Bangladesh’s proposed High Commissioner to India, the spokesperson stated, “The appointment process typically takes three to four months.
It will proceed according to the process.” In reply to a question about the participation of Bangladeshi representatives to the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected US President Donald Trump on January 20, Rafiqul Alam said that Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the United States, Asad Alam Siam, would attend the inauguration ceremony.
When asked whether any interim government representatives were invited to the ceremony, the Spokesperson explained that it is a tradition for heads of foreign missions to be invited to the US President’s inauguration, and this tradition is being followed once again.
“The invitation letter clearly states that the heads of foreign missions in the US are invited to the event,” he stressed.
About the appointment of Ambassadors to the vacant posts in different counties, he said, “The appointment process is continuing gradually. 19 Ambassadors were recalled. Almost all of them have left their duties. Some of them are on leave.”
The Spokesperson also informed that the Interim Government has initiated a coordinated effort to send critically injured individuals abroad for advanced medical treatment at its own expense.
This initiative involves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and Bangladesh Missions abroad, who have worked tirelessly to ensure expedited visa processing for those in need of treatment.
In this process, foreign missions in Bangladesh have played a supportive role, he said.
“To date, 13 injured individuals have been successfully sent abroad for medical treatment. Two of them have already returned after receiving treatment.
Additionally, from January 8 to January 16, a total of 19 individuals had their visa processing completed, and 14 of them have already received their visas,” he also informed.
He also mentioned that four critically injured individuals were transported via air ambulance for treatment.