Dhaka rejects Indian advice on election process: Touhid
NN ONLINE:
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Dhaka does not seek advice from India on Bangladesh’s election process, calling New Delhi’s recent comments unacceptable while reaffirming the interim government’s commitment to holding a free, fair and credible national election.
“We do not want advice from our neighbours on how elections in Bangladesh should be held,” he said while responding to journalists’ questions at the Foreign Ministry here this afternoon. The adviser added that India had remained silent when farcical elections were held during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.
Touhid referred to some recent statements from India that included advice on Bangladesh’s election, which he said the interim government does not consider necessary. “Now we are moving towards a good election, and suddenly advice is being offered. I find this completely unacceptable,” the adviser added.
He said the interim government has been clear since its first day that it wants to create an environment where citizens can vote freely with dignity, an environment that was absent over the past 15 years. The adviser noted that India maintained close relations with the former ousted Awami League government during that period but did not raise concerns despite widespread criticism of the electoral process.
Touhid said Bangladesh is fully aware of the steps that need to be taken to ensure a credible election. “People will be able to vote freely, and those they vote for will be elected. That is our commitment,” he said. He also commented on recent diplomatic exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi, noting that the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka was summoned last Sunday, while Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi was summoned three days later today. “This is not unexpected. Such summoning and counter-summoning happens when there are differences of opinion,” he said.
He said that deposed Sheikh Hasina previously used to make statements on social media while staying in India, and that her remarks are now regularly appearing in mainstream media as well, often containing significant provocation. “A person who has been convicted by a court is trying to create instability while staying in our neighbouring country. In that case, asking for the statements to be stopped or for her return is not unusual,” he said.
The adviser further said tensions in Bangladesh–India relations have existed since the formation of the interim government, adding that Dhaka seeks good working relations with New Delhi, though progress requires effort from both sides. “We want the relationship to move forward, but both parties must work towards that goal. We also have our own positions and objections on certain issues,” he added.
Responding to concerns raised by New Delhi over security at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Touhid said security had been strengthened in view of a programme announced to surround the mission today. “We have taken necessary security measures and have succeeded in ensuring security,” he added. The adviser recalled that similar programmes were staged in front of Bangladesh missions in Kolkata and Agartala, where the Bangladesh mission in Agartala had come under attack.