India needs to decide on its ties with Bangladesh: Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (24 February) said Delhi needs to decide what kind of relationship India wants with Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while asked to comment on recent remarks of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's regarding Bangladesh and India bilateral relations. 

During a literary festival at Delhi University on Sunday, Jaishankar asserted that Bangladesh must decide what kind of relationship it seeks with India. 

"He (Jaishankar) mentioned that Bangladesh must decide what kind of relationship it wants with India. Of course, Bangladesh will determine its stance. But at the same time, India also needs to decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh. This is a mutual matter, and there is nothing wrong in stating that," Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon. 

Mr Jaishankar, it is India who must decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh!

The adviser reaffirmed that Bangladesh has a clear stance on its relations with India, emphasizing the importance of a good working relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests. 

"We want a relationship built on mutual understanding, and there is no ambiguity in our position," he said.

Hossain also criticized the statements made by Bangladesh's ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her stay in India, claiming that her remarks were detrimental to Dhaka-Delhi relations. 

"If we want to improve ties, then a former prime minister making various statements while enjoying Indian hospitality only fuels tensions. It is widely recognized that her remarks are adding fuel to the fire," he asserted.

On the issue of Indian visas, Hossain maintained that it is India's prerogative to grant or deny visas. 

However, he stressed that if Bangladeshis face difficulties in obtaining visas, alternative solutions will have to be explored.