Hasina's activities in India 'principal challenge' to PM Tarique's visit: Humaiun Kobir to The Hindu 

The activities of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her team in India are the "principal challenge" to planning Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the neighbouring country, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said.

Bangladesh wants "strategic autonomy" in its foreign policy and urged India to understand the challenges faced by the newly elected government, Humaiun said in an interview published by The Hindu yesterday (5 October).

Speaking to the Indian newspaper on the sidelines of the ongoing Bay of Bengal Conversation organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in Dhaka, the state minister said, "The visit will be bilateral, but there are challenges and through dialogue we will overcome them. 

"The principal challenge is not too much to ask for. Sheikh Hasina and her team are stationed in Delhi, and they are trying to destabilise a foreign country sitting in Delhi. This does not benefit India either."

Call to restrain exiled leadership

Humaiun called on India to restrain Hasina and her team, saying she is responsible for the deaths of around 2,000 Bangladeshis during the July Uprising. He also described her as a "terrorist".

He said Bangladesh needs a "clean break" from the past after people sacrificed their lives to overthrow Hasina's regime, which ruled the country for more than 15 years.

However, Humaiun said ongoing talks with India are a positive development and that Dhaka welcomes efforts to restrain Hasina and her team.

"We are seeing some positive signs as India is trying to restrain them. That is the norm between two countries. If they [Hasina and her team] are restrained, then there will be no problem in the [bilateral] relationship," he said.

He stressed that relations with India remain a priority for Dhaka and said Tarique Rahman's visit will take place at a "conducive time".

The prime minister has never said that he will not visit India, Humaiun said, highlighting the role of Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in facilitating the process.

Diplomatic engagement

The state minister said the Indian high commissioner is playing a good role, adding, "He is trying, and hopefully Delhi will be receptive to his opinion. And if they give importance to his opinion, then we are ready to engage across the board. We are carrying out our consultations."

He described the Awami League leadership as a "hindrance" to normalisation of ties between Dhaka and Delhi.

Humaiun said Bangladesh is ready to discuss all issues with India but expects "reciprocation".

"When two governments sit down to discuss keeping in mind national interests, all issues can be addressed," he said, adding that Bangladesh will not allow anyone to work against India's interests while staying in Bangladesh and expects similar action from New Delhi.

Bangladesh seeks 'strategic autonomy'

Earlier, Humaiun, in his address at the Bay of Bengal Conversation, said Bangladesh seeks "strategic autonomy" in foreign affairs while maintaining strong relations with global and regional partners.

"Our foreign policy must respond to the changes in Bangladesh. We seek engagement with all based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and national interest. We want a strong partnership, but we also want strategic autonomy," he said.

Although he did not mention India or any other global partner in his speech, Humaiun later elaborated on the concept while speaking to The Hindu.

"Every country likes strategic autonomy. India likes its strategic autonomy. Bangladesh too likes its strategic autonomy. This idea is more about what we require," he said.