Bangladesh wants to improve ties with India by emphasizing the value of respect for one another and common interests. Following recent comments made by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on “anti-India sentiments” in Bangladesh, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain issued this statement.

Jaishankar’s Apprehensions Regarding Bangladesh’s Position
Jaishankar expressed worries over Bangladesh’s erratic attitude to India when he met with Touhid Hossain in Muscat. He advised Dhaka to refrain from making “ridiculous” accusations against India, especially against its interim government’s leaders.

The foreign minister of India voiced his annoyance at what he called Dhaka’s inconsistent actions. He emphasized that Bangladesh cannot blame New Delhi for domestic problems while claiming to want cordial ties with India.

Jaishankar’s caution coincides with Dhaka’s growing hostility against New Delhi. The foreign minister clearly voiced his worries, saying that Bangladesh had to “make up its mind” about the course of its relationship with India.

Jaishankar emphasized what he called Dhaka’s hypocrisy, saying that Bangladesh cannot pretend to want good relations with India while simultaneously holding New Delhi accountable for internal problems.

“You cannot say, on the one hand, that ‘I would now like to have good relations with you,’ but then wake up every morning and blame you for everything that goes wrong if someone in the interim government continues to stand up and blame India for everything—some of those claims, if you look at the reports, are absolutely ridiculous.” “They have to make that decision,” Jaishankar said at a public event.

“They need to make a decision on the future nature of their relationship with New Delhi. “We have a very special history with Bangladesh that dates back to 1971,” he said.

India’s Worries About Bangladesh’s Internal Problems
The Indian foreign minister also emphasized political instability and sectarian violence as two major issues impacting bilateral relations. Attacks against minorities in Bangladesh are a serious worry, he said, adding that they affect India’s view of the relationship.

“The difficulties that our bilateral partnerships are experiencing are twofold. Attacks against minorities by communities are the first. The recent wave of assaults against minorities is very concerning for India. Clearly, this affects the way we think. That’s something we need to talk about, and we have,” Jaishankar said.

Bangladesh Reacts: Demands a Fair Strategy
Touhid Hossain, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, responded to Jaishankar’s comments by restating Dhaka’s commitment to maintaining close relations with India. He emphasized that Bangladesh is adamant on promoting amicable relations based on respect for one another.

Our position is unambiguous: we want positive working relationships with India based on respect and shared interests. There is no room for doubt on this,” Touhid Hossain said reporters.

Bangladesh wants a solid working relationship with India, Hossain said, but he also emphasized that India must choose the kind of relationship it wishes to have with Bangladesh.

However, India must also choose the kind of relationship it wishes to have with Bangladesh. Both parties have a stake in it,” he said.

Citing an instance in which an Indian chief minister proposed sending a peacekeeping force to Bangladesh, he also noted that anti-Bangladesh statements had been made in India.

“He (Jaishankar) expressed his displeasure at Bangladesh’s anti-Indian statements. However, India has also made anti-Bangladesh statements. A chief minister from India demanded that a peacekeeping force be sent to Bangladesh. While acknowledging that such comments will persist, we must endeavor to strengthen our connection,” Hossain said.

Sheikh Hasina’s Remarks Raise Concerns
Hossain also voiced dissatisfaction with Sheikh Hasina’s recent comments, saying that they were detrimental to bilateral relations and that she made them while in India.

“Sheikh Hasina’s remarks are hurting our relationship, particularly when she was receiving Indian hospitality. Tensions are only increased by such comments,” he remarked.

Bangladesh Regarding Visa Concerns
Regarding visas, Hossain clarified that while India has complete authority over its regulations, Bangladesh is willing to look at other possibilities if needed.

“India has complete control over whether or not to grant visas. However, we will search for other options if visas are rejected,” he said.