‘Efforts to improve ties with India going on’
Staff Reporter :
Economic Adviser Dr Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday that the economic relation with India remains normal but the government is actively working to ensure political ties stable.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat, Dr Ahmed stressed that Dhaka does not want strained relations with any of its neighbours, including India.
“Political relations with India have not become very bad,” he said. “However, we are trying to ensure that the relationship does not become abnormal in any way. Bangladesh does not want bitter relations with any neighbouring country.”
On the state of political relations, Dr. Ahmed said ties were still “more or less” stable, despite heightened rhetoric on foreign policy issues.
“There is often excessive rhetoric on foreign issues. Politicians sometimes make statements simply for the sake of making statements,” he said.
“But I believe the relationship will not move in a completely negative direction.”
Responding to questions about the impact of the current political context on economic ties between the two countries, the adviser reiterated his long-held position that trade and politics should be viewed separately.
“I always say that we should separate trade from politics,” he said. “If we do not import rice from India and instead bring it from Vietnam, the cost will increase by another Tk 10 per kilogram. If I can get rice from India at a competitive price, I will not import it from elsewhere.”
He added that importing rice from India is economically beneficial for Bangladesh and that hearing news of rice imports from India would be “a matter of some relief.”
He noted that Bangladesh has previously imported rice from India as part of efforts to maintain normal relations and said delays in decisions on onion imports had also had economic consequences.
“In the case of onions, some delay occurred in decision-making. Otherwise, prices could have come down further,” he said.
When asked what steps the government would take in the coming one and a half months to improve political relations with India, the adviser said efforts were ongoing.
“Work on political relations is continuing,” he said, adding that the Chief Adviser was fully aware of the situation regarding India.
Dr Ahmed said not all details of diplomatic engagement could be disclosed but confirmed that he had personally spoken with the Indian High Commissioner.
“They have told us that they are also making their best efforts,” he said.
“What we hear in the media or certain statements that come from outside cannot always be controlled. And you yourselves want media freedom.”
Addressing concerns about the rise of anti-India rhetoric within sections of Bangladeshi society, Dr. Ahmed said such statements complicate the situation but do not reflect the country’s national sentiment.
“Those who are making such statements are making things more complex. These are not our national feelings,” he said.
“We do not want such relationships with any country, let alone a neighbouring one. India also understands that not everyone believes these statements.”
Asked whether the government wanted good relations with India, the adviser replied, “Definitely, we want to keep relations good. Nothing bad has happened.”
On whether the government had taken initiatives to stop inflammatory rhetoric, he acknowledged the limitations of control.
“Can everything be stopped? If someone stands somewhere and makes a statement, it is not always possible to stop it,” he said.
Regarding efforts at higher diplomatic levels, Dr. Ahmed said individuals close to the Chief Adviser, including friends with strong links to India, were involved in dialogue.
“There are also people in other countries who have close relations with India, and they are maintaining communication as well,” he said.
In response to a question about whether any foreign power was instigating tensions between Bangladesh and India, the adviser said Dhaka was keen to ensure that no external influence affected bilateral ties.
“Even if someone from outside is doing something, we do not want it to affect relations between the two countries,” he said.
“India is our largest neighbour. Efforts are also underway to improve relations with Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and others. Bangladesh cannot exist in isolation,” he said.