Ousted prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s extended stay in New Delhi will not negatively impact the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
“Bilateral relations is a big thing ... it’s built on mutual interest,” he said while responding to a question by a journalist in this regard.
The adviser was talking to reporters after briefing diplomats, including Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka on Monday. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was present at that time.
“This is a hypothetical question. If someone stays in a country why the relations with that particular country will be affected. There is no reason for that,” Touhid said.
“Friendship is based on interests, and it does not survive if those interests are compromised,” he added.
Hossain pointed out that India has its interests in Bangladesh, just as Dhaka has its interests in Delhi. “We will pursue our interests, and our efforts to maintain good relations with India will continue,” he said.
He also reaffirmed that Bangladesh is committed to upholding all agreements made with other countries.
On 5 August, after a month-long student-led uprising, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh`s prime minister and left Dhaka for Delhi the same day. She landed at the Indian Air Force`s (IAF) Hindon base in Ghaziabad, near New Delhi, and has been staying at the base since then.
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