Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain has said relations between Bangladesh and India are important for both countries but are currently not at the desired level.

“To strengthen this relationship, both countries need to take positive steps,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with BBC broadcast on Wednesday (21 Jan), Touhid emphasised that for strong bilateral ties, both sides must first genuinely want good relations.

“If actions continue to pull the relationship downward, that will be the outcome,” he said.

The comments come amid India advising the families of officials at its High Commission in Dhaka and four other missions to return to India as a precaution due to security concerns.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “Considering the security situation, we have advised our mission and post officials to return to India as a precautionary measure.”

“However, the missions will continue to operate at full capacity,” it added.

Regarding the security advice, Touhid said, “There is no evidence that we have failed to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. But we cannot change their decision—if they feel unsafe here, it is their choice. While unfortunate, we cannot alter their decision.”

Drawing on his nearly 40 years of experience working with India in various roles, he added that India’s reaction seemed somewhat excessive and he had hoped for a more restrained approach.

Touhid stressed the importance of stronger communication and mutual understanding between the two countries.

“Bangladesh-India relations are important for both sides. To strengthen them, both countries need to take positive steps. There should have been more mutual contact and understanding, and that is what I would like to see,” he said.

On former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, he said she had fled to India and received shelter there. Bangladesh had expected that during her stay, she would refrain from making statements that could complicate domestic affairs or harm bilateral ties.

Regarding Pakistan, he noted that Bangladesh has not taken steps to harm relations with India, while the previous government had intentionally worsened relations with Pakistan throughout its tenure.

He added that despite some unresolved issues, Bangladesh sought normal relations and attempted to restore ties with Pakistan, which is a neighbouring country.

On the rise of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, Touhid said the party has long been a legitimate political organisation with a support base.

Drawing a comparison to India’s BJP, he noted that the BJP once held only two seats but later formed a single-party majority government.

He added, “Political rise and fall is natural. Even if someone dislikes it, Jamaat is a political party with its own ideology.”