Bangladesh’s High Commissioner made these observations during an interview.
New Delhi: Ever since Mohammad Yunus took charge of the government in Bangladesh following the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina government, Dhaka has grown closer to China and Pakistan. The proximity of Bangladesh to China and Pakistan is considered a big threat to India. However, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, has rejected such apprehensions as he assured India that Bangladesh’s land cannot become a base for anti-India activities.
In an interview with The Print, Hamidullah said that India-Bangladesh relations are decades old, which are based on mutual trust, shared economic interests and deep cultural ties. In such a situation, it is not right to say that there is any threat to the relations between the two countries.
His comments hold a lot of significance as concerns have been growing about Dhaka’s diplomatic relations with Beijing and Islamabad.
What did Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India say?
Hamidullah admitted that relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated in recent months as he expressed concern over India’s suspension of medical visas and cross-border exchanges. He said Bangladesh has cultural ties with India. He gave the example of DPS Dhaka, an Indian school running in Bangladesh. Hamidullah said that despite political noise, economic relations are also continuing, and the bilateral trade is worth $13 billion.
Calling the incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh sporadic, he asked not to generalize it. He said that there are more than 30,000 worship pavilions in Bangladesh and a few incidents of vandalism or violence do not define the entire society.
What did he say about Pakistan and China?
Hamidullah rejected the notion that Bangladesh’s dealings with Pakistan or China reflect ideological change. He said, “Defence level talks were held with Pakistan even during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. There has been no significant change in our policy. We want to make it clear that Bangladesh will not allow anyone to use its territory for hostile purposes.”
On relations with China, Riaz Hamidullah said that this is due to economic reasons, adding that economic necessity promotes engagement but not cultural affinity.
