Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs of India on Monday (October 16) specified that the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh cannot be compared while the sky is not also the limit of the relationship between the two nations.
However, India reiterated how important it is to maintain stability in Bangladesh as the Indian government respects Bangladesh’s democracy.
The officials said these while exchanging views with the visiting Bangladeshi journalists in New Delhi.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh-Myanmar Division) Smita Pant, and Director (Bangladesh-Myanmar Division) Nabanita Chakrabarti, among others, were present at the programme.
When asked regarding Bangladesh’s upcoming election and the role of the US and India, Arindam Bagchi said the people of Bangladesh will decide about this.
In response to another question regarding the caretaker government system of Bangladesh, he said that there is no such thing in the Indian constitution, so such a thing does not happen in India. In this case, what is said in the constitution of Bangladesh, maybe that will happen.
Regarding the Bangladesh-China relationship, Arindam Bagchi said, “Relations with China are Bangladesh's internal subject. We have no comment to this point.”
At this meeting Indian officials denied the information that India opposed Bangladesh’s membership in BRICS.
The officials present there said, “Why will India oppose Bangladesh? Rather, we want to take Bangladesh forward whenever we get a chance. As part of that, India has specially invited Bangladesh to the G-20 summit in New Delhi.”
Joint Secretary (Bangladesh-Myanmar Division) Smita Pant said India has 46 ongoing projects with Bangladesh as a development partner. There are also 64 small investments.
She said that India has implemented and is working on several projects in the communication sector of the two countries. For instance, Chilahati-Haldibari rail connectivity, rail and river connectivity with Tripura is significant. India has done a lot in the development sector in last two years.
Smita Pant mentioned India’s move to allow Bangladeshi businessmen to use India's Kolkata and Delhi airports for exporting goods to third countries.
Besides, she said that India will increase the scholarship for Bangladeshi students in days to come.
In response to a question regarding Indian visas for Bangladeshis, she stated that India had issued visas to 16 lakh Bangladeshis last year. The recent visa issue is temporary. It will become normal soon.
BDST: 1749 HRS, OCT 16, 2023
MSK/SMS
