Dhaka-Delhi ties need to be carried forward accepting 5 Aug changeover: Foreign adviser

Bangladesh and India need to carry forward the relations accepting the changed reality after 5 August, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (8 December) in Dhaka.

"It is important to note that the relations between Bangladesh and India witnessed changes after 5 August and both sides need to try and carry forward the relations accepting this changed reality," he said.

The foreign adviser came up with the remarks ahead of the scheduled visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka today to hold several meetings apart from attending the foreign secretary-level talks to address mutual concerns amid strained ties and growing criticisms from both sides on post-August 5 issues.

The Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations is likely to cover a range of bilateral issues, trade, border management, connectivity, water sharing, visa issuance and also the potential extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the Bangladesh foreign ministry. 

This is going to be the first visit to be made by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, came to power on 8 August after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August.

Foreign Secretary Misri and his Bangladesh counterpart, Md Jashim Uddin, will lead their respective sides at the talks.

Speaking at a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club, Touhid expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India would be able to overcome the recent economic stalemate witnessed over the last few months that has impacted both India and Bangladesh.

"We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other are very important to overcome any such stalemate," he said.

The foreign adviser explained that the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations is a standing mechanism and such a meeting at the foreign secretary-level is nothing abnormal.

"I hope they [foreign secretaries] will have a fruitful discussion," said Touhid, noting that it is important to acknowledge the problem as a first step towards a solution.

He emphasised that the recent decline in bilateral trade was a shared challenge for both Bangladesh and India, not solely a problem for Bangladesh.

The adviser referred to the impacts that had on businesses in Kolkata and West Bengal.

Bangladesh Chapter of the Saarc Journalists Forum hosted the seminar titled "The Saarc: People of South Asia Crave For" to mark Saarc Day.

Touhid said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is very sincere to revitalise the Saarc and the efforts to that end can begin with the foreign-secretary level talks.

The convening of the Saarc Summit may be delayed, he said, noting that the South Asian association is still relevant.

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a press briefing in the capital yesterday said the relations between the two neighbours will reach a better place as the Indian foreign secretary is visiting Dhaka.

He said that Bangladesh wants relations with India based on "equity and dignity."

Noting that both countries have long historical, cultural and linguistic relations, Alam said, "We will have discussions on different mutually interested matters."