India-Bangladesh Relation: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said it is important to start a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations, which should begin with the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said her continued presence in India could further damage bilateral relations.
Alamgir, the second-in-command in the BNP, stressed that his party is keen on strong relations with India. He said that he is ready to overcome past differences and cooperate. Alamgir also assured that the BNP will not allow any such activity on Bangladeshi soil that poses a threat to India’s security.
‘India did not talk to BNP’
Alamgir said that even after the fall of Hasina government amid public outrage, the Indian government has not yet held talks with BNP, while China, America, Britain and Pakistan have already talked. He said that the safety of minorities in Bangladesh is an internal matter.
The BNP leader said reports of Hindus being targeted were not true as most of the incidents were politically motivated rather than communal. He said, “Sheikh Hasina will have to face the law of Bangladesh for all the crimes and corruption committed by herself and her government. To make this possible and respect the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh, India should ensure her return to Bangladesh.”
Anti-government protests in Bangladesh reached a peak on August 5, forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign from the post of Prime Minister and leave the country for India. Hasina’s presence in India for more than three weeks has fueled speculation in Bangladesh.
What did the BNP leader say about India-Bangladesh relations?
The BNP leader said, “We want to start a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations and ensuring Hasina’s return to Bangladesh will be a new chapter in bilateral relations. Both Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League are condemned here and supporting them will further deteriorate the perception about India in Bangladesh.”
Alamgir said that if India does not ensure Hasina’s return to Bangladesh, bilateral relations between the two countries will deteriorate. He said, “There is already anger against India here, because it is seen as a supporter of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government. If you ask anyone in Bangladesh, he will say that India did not do the right thing by giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina.”
In New Delhi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked on Friday (30 August 2024) whether the interim government of Bangladesh has made a formal request for Hasina’s extradition, but he did not give a clear answer on this. Jaiswal had said, “The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh came to India as per the information given at the last moment for security reasons. We have nothing more to say on this matter.
When asked about the India Out campaign in Bangladesh, Alamgir said there was clear anger against India as it never bothered to build relations with the people of the country but was content with only building relations with the Awami League.
India’s diplomacy is not practical – BNP leader
He said, “India’s diplomacy with Bangladesh was not practical. It did not establish relations with the people of Bangladesh and other stakeholders, but only with one side. India has to understand the pulse of the people of Bangladesh. If BNP comes to power, it will try to strengthen relations with India and resolve misunderstandings and past differences.”
Alamgir said, “We have to talk because that will be the only practical diplomacy to resolve the issues. Even after such a big political upheaval in Bangladesh, India has not initiated any talks with us. High commissioners and ambassadors of Pakistan, China, America and Britain have contacted and talked to us, but there has been no talks from India’s side.”
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