No possibility of PM's India visit before UNGA session: State minister
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said that discussions on the visit are ongoing and its dates have not yet been finalised.
There is no possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India before the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said today (5 September).
He added that discussions on the visit are ongoing and its dates have not yet been finalised.
Humayun made the remarks during a discussion with leaders of the Electronic Media Journalist Association, an organisation of working television journalists, at a hotel in Sylhet city this morning.
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The state minister said the prime minister will attend the UN session with a message on the progress of the "new Bangladesh" and may meet US President Donald Trump there.
Notably, the 81st session of UNGA will open on 8 September, at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Regarding India, Humayun Kabir said that despite thousands of issues between the two countries, the path to dialogue remains open.
"As a neighbour, there should be good relations with India," he said.
On the energy sector, he said that looking at the sector would show how "psychopathic corruption" could be committed.
"However, the prime minister is giving the highest priority to the sector. The government is working sincerely to resolve the crisis," he added.
Regarding the "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement", the state minister said discussions are underway and that it would not be unusual for Bangladesh to join it.
"Many countries are now part of multiple security alliances. We will go wherever necessary based on national interest," he said.
Regarding the purchase of Boeing aircraft from the United States, Humayun said no one was forcing Bangladesh to buy them.
"Boeings are being bought from the USA because there is demand, and more will be bought if necessary," he said.
The state minister said labour migration to Malaysia was negatively affected by a syndicate during the Awami League regime.
"The current government has broken the syndicate. Labour exports to Malaysia will resume in phases," he added.
Responding to a question about Bangladeshis allegedly being unable to get hotels in Kolkata and having to spend nights on the streets, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take action if specific examples were brought to its attention.
