India Reaffirms Commitment to Constructive Ties With Bangladesh Amid Security and Cooperation Discussions
Photo Collected
India aims to build a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual interests, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed a range of bilateral issues during a press briefing in New Delhi, emphasizing the commitment to stable diplomatic ties.
Regarding the potential visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tareq Rahman to India, Jaiswal declined to provide a definitive confirmation. When questioned about the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others accused in the killing of Sheikh Osman Hadi, Jaiswal stated that the government’s position remains unchanged. He noted that Bangladesh’s formal requests are being reviewed in accordance with established Indian legal procedures.
The briefing also touched upon Bangladesh’s request for additional energy supplies from India. Jaiswal reiterated that the proposal is under evaluation, with officials considering factors such as domestic fuel reserves, refining capacity, and India’s own energy requirements.
On the status of stalled Indian development projects within Bangladesh, Jaiswal did not confirm whether the interim government had formally requested a resumption of work. Instead, he underscored that India remains interested in fostering a relationship defined by constructive engagement and mutual benefit.
Addressing concerns raised by a recent United Nations Security Council report regarding the potential expansion of Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, Jaiswal described terrorism as a shared threat. He emphasized the need for close cooperation to combat regional extremism, noting that the extremist elements mentioned in the UN report have previously targeted locations within India, including the Red Fort in New Delhi.
The discussion also covered the sensitive issue of Teesta River water sharing and reports of Chinese interest in the project. Jaiswal refrained from providing specific details on private diplomatic discussions but emphasized that the management of common rivers should remain a matter of bilateral coordination between India and Bangladesh.
0%
0%
0%
0%
