India says closely monitoring Bangladesh-Pakistan talks on JF-17 fighter jets
'We keep a close watch on all developments that have a bearing on our national security,' says MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
Highlights
- India monitoring Bangladesh-Pakistan JF-17 discussions
- Commented on Dhaka-Karachi direct flights
- Raises concern over minority attacks
- Calls for inclusive elections in Bangladesh, Myanmar
India has said it is closely monitoring developments it views as having implications for its national security, referring to Bangladesh and Pakistan's discussions on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
"We keep a close watch on all developments that have a bearing on our national security," Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly media briefing today (9 January). He was responding to a question about talks held during the recent visit of Bangladesh Air Force Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan to Islamabad.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Replying to another question on Bangladesh and Pakistan deciding to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from 29 January, and whether Dhaka needed New Delhi's permission to use Indian airspace, Jaiswal said, "Such issues will be dealt with as per air services agreement with Bangladesh."
Regarding the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, the MEA spokesman said India continued to observe "a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on homes and business establishments of minorities by extremists in Bangladesh," adding that "such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly."
Jaiswal also said India had noticed "a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, personal vendettas, political differences and other extraneous reasons."
"Such disregard only emboldens the extremists and perpetrators of such crimes and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among the minorities," he added.
Responding to a question on national elections in Bangladesh and Myanmar "not being inclusive" due to the absence of major political parties, Jaiswal said India continued to support and call for inclusive elections "so that we have a mandate that is credible."
