India ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh: Jaiswal
New Delhi says it wants to take ties with Dhaka in a “positive, constructive and forward-looking” direction
India is ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through the existing structured mechanism and wants to take the relationship in a "positive, constructive and forward-looking" direction, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said today (22 September).
"We are ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh within the structured mechanism that we have. So, that is our intent and desire," he said at a biweekly media briefing in New Delhi.
Jaiswal's comments came in response to questions about Bangladesh's reported participation in a multinational military exercise in India.
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Asked whether the reported developments indicated that Bangladesh-India ties were getting back on track, Jaiswal said, "Our general approach is that we want a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh."
Responding to questions about reports that Dhaka had nominated Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as its new high commissioner to India and whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman could visit India in November, Jaiswal said, "If and when I have something to say, I will get back to you [journalists]."
The question comes amid reports that New Delhi has cleared Asad's appointment as Bangladesh's next high commissioner to India.
Earlier today, Hindustan Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that New Delhi had cleared Siam's appointment.
