State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today (6 August) urged India to clarify whether it would continue allowing convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and banned Awami League leaders to carry out what she described as conspiratorial activities from Indian soil, warning that the issue could affect bilateral relations.
"If the autocratic, fascist, convicted Awami League leaders and the head of the Awami League, sitting on Indian soil, continue to carry out such conspiratorial activities, and if the Indian government does not stop it right now, then it will certainly create a cause for concern for the people of Bangladesh," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She said Bangladesh had already conveyed its concerns through an official statement and urged New Delhi to be more sensitive to public sentiment in Bangladesh.
"India needs to be more sensitive in that area and take a very intelligent decision about what it wants to do in the future," she said.
Shama accused the Awami League of attempting to revive what she called its "old dirty politics" by portraying Bangladesh as linked to extremism to attract international attention.
"This theory of militancy is the old dirty politics of the Awami League. They are now trying to do it again on foreign soil. Whether India will allow it or not… it is up to the Indian government to decide," she said.
Rejecting allegations of militancy in Bangladesh, she said the country has an elected government with public support and that such claims lack credibility at home and abroad.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina, Shama said, "When a convicted criminal sits on Indian soil and says such things, and the Indian government allows it, then, of course, there is concern for Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh about where our relationship will stand in the future."
She also dismissed the Awami League's rhetoric on democracy and human rights, saying, "When we hear democracy from the mouth of the Awami League, when we hear human rights from the mouth of the Awami League, it becomes a very ridiculous thing," citing allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the party's rule.
Despite the dispute, the state minister reiterated that Bangladesh wants constructive ties with India based on equality, mutual respect and dignity.
"India is a democratic country. India itself has to decide what its foreign policy regarding Bangladesh will be. We want good relations, in the interest of the people of both countries. But the relationship has to be based on equality, with mutual respect and dignity," she said.
She added that Dhaka remains committed to dialogue with New Delhi on shared issues, including water, energy and border management, noting that Bangladesh currently chairs Bimstec and remains interested in joining Brics. Any decision on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's participation in a future BRICS summit, she said, would depend on his schedule.
FP/R
