Correct bilateral steps can ease public discontent against India: Foreign adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday said that taking the right bilateral steps could help alleviate public discontent over Bangladesh-India relations.

"It's possible to ease public dissatisfaction with India. I believe we need to take very correct bilateral steps to address this," he told reporters at the foreign ministry Monday afternoon.

Hossain noted that while the “golden chapter” of Bangladesh-India relations is apparent at the governmental level, it has not extended to the general public.

"We want to see strong people-to-people ties. The public should feel that there is a genuinely good relationship between Bangladesh and India, but unfortunately, this aspect has been lacking," he said.

He criticised the Indian media for creating exaggerated narratives, contrasting them with international media outlets, which he said are known for their substantive and neutral coverage.

Most importantly, the Indian media manipulated narratives on Bangladesh after the student-people revolution, while the international media did not echo the same sentiment.

He acknowledged that while there was some unrest, it has since been resolved. "We have moved past that phase," he added.

On regional cooperation, Hossain said that there was a hope that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) could serve as an alternative to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

However, he pointed out that BIMSTEC cannot become fully effective until peace is restored in Myanmar.

Hossain emphasised that Bangladesh does not currently want to see BIMSTEC as a replacement for SAARC.

"SAARC has been a victim of India-Pakistan rivalry, and we do not want to continue down this path," he said. Hossain noted that Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus is keen on revitalising SAARC as a regional forum.

Regarding relations with Pakistan, the foreign adviser noted that there were tensions between Bangladesh and Pakistan during the previous government for some reasons, but improving these ties would be beneficial for both nations. "We seek friendship with all. There is no benefit in creating tension with Pakistan," he said.