Diplomatic Correspondent :
The issue concerning former deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was notably absent during Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma’s meeting with the Foreign Ministry, which was dedicated solely to enhancing bilateral relations.
Responding to a question from journalists at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, The Indian envoy made the remarks emerging out of the meeting with Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin.
“There were no specific talks on this matter (Hasina). The discussions primarily focused on how to enhance relations with the interim government and work collaboratively on various projects,” Verma responded.
After the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 and her fleeing to India to save life, there has been a pressing issue of discussion that she should be brought back home to face the trial for the massive massacre during the July-August uprising.
Since her fleeing to India, the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus has been urging to return Hasina to face the trial as hundreds of murder cases have been filed against her.
Even the interim government has reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) which has already issued arrest warrants for Sheikh Hasina and others implanted in multiple cases.
When the people of Bangladesh and the current government’s commitment to hold trial of Sheikh Hasina has been reverberating regularly, it is natural to have talks when any Indian envoy or representatives do have any interaction with the interim government.
However, the Indian High Commissioner stated that there were no discussions on this matter.
He emphasised that the Indian government is focused on strengthening bilateral relations with the interim government of Bangladesh.
Regarding the discussion about the meeting with the Secretary, Pranay Verma said, “It was a regular meeting and part of ongoing discussions about our relationship. We have talked about security and development between the two countries.”
“We have a positive relationship and believe that our partnership will benefit the people of both countries,” he added.
Apart from it, he also noted that India is dependent on Bangladesh, and Bangladesh is dependent on India, and that this mutual dependence should be further advanced.
Verma also mentioned that they aim to hold a Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) meeting soon to discuss various cooperative efforts.
Recently, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Sheikh Hasina, instructing her to appear before the tribunal by November 18.
During a press conference last Thursday, Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that the interim government would take necessary measures to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country.
“We would deploy all our efforts to bring them back. A month has been given for it. I don’t want to make any other comments about it right now as the situation would develop further,” he said.
Asked about what procedures would be utilised to bring back Sheikh Hasina, the foreign adviser, however, declined to comment on it rather stated, “The procedure is not important. The court has directed to arrest her. Police cannot do it as she is not in the country. Then our involvement would come.”