Foreign Minister Tauheed Hussain in the interim government of Bangladesh spoke openly about his relations with India and Pakistan. He said that the Yunus government also wants to see strong relations with the people of India. This was lacking during the Sheikh Hasina government. Hussain said, “It is possible to reduce the anger of the Bangladeshi public towards India. I believe that we need to take the right bilateral steps to solve this problem.” On Pakistan, Hussain said that now they do not want enmity with Pakistan because their friendship will only benefit us. Earlier on Sunday, Hussain had said on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina that it depends on India whether it returns her or not. He also said that if our court orders, the government can ask India to bring Sheikh Hasina back.
Touhid Hussain was asked during a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry whether bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh were a ‘golden chapter’ during the Sheikh Hasina regime? In response, Hussain said, “We want that these relations should develop among the general public rather than some individuals of both the countries. The people of both the countries should develop the confidence that bilateral relations are very good.
Both Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi often described the relations between the two countries as part of a golden chapter, but since Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled to India on August 5, relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated. During the violence, all minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh were persecuted. On this, PM Modi also urged the Yunus government to ensure the safety of minorities. On the other hand, some political parties in Bangladesh criticized India for focusing too much on building relations with the Awami League. Now the interim government’s Foreign Minister Tauheed Hussain said that for the bilateral relations to move forward, appropriate steps have to be taken to reduce the anger of the people.
Now we don’t want enmity with Pakistan
According to Bangladeshi media outlet Prothomalo, in response to a question about good relations with Pakistan, Hussain said, “I think there was tension with Pakistan due to some reasons. If relations become normal, we should all be happy. We want friendship with everyone. Now there is no use in being hostile towards Pakistan.”
Pakistan High Commissioner Ahmed Maruf met Bangladesh Home Minister Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and called for removing the sourness in bilateral relations over the last 15 years. Both sides have agreed to facilitate mutual visa arrangements. Maruf said that Pakistan has announced a new visa policy two weeks ago, under which citizens of 126 countries, including Bangladesh, will be able to travel to Pakistan without a visa. He also talked about resuming direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan to enhance relations and trade between the two countries. Let us tell you that the last direct flight between Bangladesh and Pakistan was operated by Pakistan International Airlines in the year 2018.
Extradition of Sheikh Hasina
Earlier on Sunday, Hussain had said that the decision to send Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh depends on India. He also said that if our court orders the government, they can tell India in this regard and try to bring Sheikh Hasina back. Let us tell you that as soon as Mohammad Yunus formed the government in Bangladesh, he canceled the diplomatic passports of Sheikh Hasina and many Awami League leaders. Not only this, more than 100 cases have been registered against Sheikh Hasina and the leaders of her parties across the country. These cases are related to murder, violence and genocide.