Don't want India's advice on elections: Foreign adviser
Any such advice from India is unacceptable to the interim government, he says
Highlights:
- Bangladesh rejects India's election advice
- India remained silent during past "farcical" polls, says the adviser
- Interim government vows free, fair elections
- Summoning Bangladesh envoy a routine diplomacy
- No decision on downsising India mission
Bangladesh does not seek advice from India on how its elections should be conducted, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (17 December).
"India never uttered a word about the farcical elections held under the previous Awami League government. Therefore, any such advice from India [now] is unacceptable to the interim government," he said while speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Touhid also stressed that the government is committed to holding a free and fair election in which people can exercise their democratic rights freely.
Earlier in the day, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah and said it was in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh, adding that it had consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
Commenting on the matter, the adviser said summoning the Bangladesh high commissioner in New Delhi was a normal diplomatic practice, noting that the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka had also been summoned a few days earlier.
Responding to another question, Touhid said it was difficult to say whether the already tense Dhaka-Delhi relations had taken on a new dimension.
He also said no decision had yet been taken on downsizing the Bangladesh mission in India, adding that such a decision would depend on whether staff members had adequate engagement.
Dhaka summons Indian envoy over 'anti-election activities' by fugitive political figures
Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year, India has repeatedly called for "inclusive, fair and free" elections in Bangladesh.
Earlier on 14 December, Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Bangladesh's concerns over what it described as anti-election activities involving fugitive political figures currently staying in India.
During the meeting, Bangladesh expressed serious concerns over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's continued public statements, which the government said were encouraging her supporters to engage in violent activities aimed at disrupting the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In response, India reiterated that its territory has never been used for any activities harmful to the interests of the people of Bangladesh.
