Bangladeshi minorities cannot be India's concern: FA

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said Bangladesh’s minorities cannot be India’s concern.

Touhid made this statement on Monday, a day after Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks about Bangladesh at a literary festival at Delhi University.

Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the adviser said: "Jaishankar has once again spoken about minorities. However, the issue of minorities arises mainly from distorted information spread by the Indian media, which different people in different places are repeating.

"More importantly, Bangladesh’s minority issue cannot be India’s concern. Bangladesh’s minorities are Bangladesh’s issue, just as how India treats its minorities is India’s concern."

He continued: "Therefore, I believe the policy of non-interference should be followed. We are looking after the issue of minorities. They are citizens of Bangladesh. They have the same rights as I do, and the government will try to ensure those rights."

When asked about Jaishankar’s comment that Bangladesh must decide what kind of relationship it wants with India, the foreign affairs adviser responded: "Of course, Bangladesh will decide what kind of relationship it wants with India. Similarly, India must decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh."

"This is a matter for both sides, and there is nothing wrong with stating this. I think we have a clear stance on this. We want good working relations with India based on mutual respect and shared interests. There is no ambiguity in our position," he added.

Touhid went on to say: "India will decide what kind of relationship it wants. However, Jaishankar also mentioned that ‘various people in Bangladesh are making objectionable remarks, and anti-India statements are coming from within the government.’ I do not want to judge whether this is right or wrong. My point is that while some people here make such comments, people over there also do the same.

"One of their chief ministers even suggested sending a UN peacekeeping force to Bangladesh if possible. A central minister of theirs constantly makes anti-Bangladesh statements. That is fine; we assume such things will continue, but we are still trying to maintain good relations. Our position is that instead of focusing on what a few individuals here and there are saying, we should work towards improving our relationship.

"To improve relations, we must also consider that the statements made by our former prime minister while enjoying Indian hospitality are actually harmful. They are damaging to the relationship. It is our responsibility to handle any instability or issues within our country. But it is widely recognized that her remarks are fueling tensions. Everyone knows this."

The adivser said that similarly, the visa issue is entirely India’s internal matter. "If they choose not to grant visas to someone, we have nothing to say. However, when visas are not being issued or have been significantly reduced, we will naturally seek alternatives."