Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said during US-India talks that Bangladeshi election is their domestic issue.
“Making comments on a third country is outside of Indian policy,” he said this on Friday when Bangladesh issue raised during ministerial 2+2 meet between India and the US.
He remarked, “Developments on elections of Bangladesh are domestic matter. People of Bangladesh will decide its future.”
Kwatra was quoted as saying by an Indian diplomatic journalist of WION Sidhant Sibal in another X post, “We as close friend and partner, respect democratic process and support that country`s vision of a stable, peaceful and progressive nation that the people of the country seek.”
The verified account holder Sibal has 253.4K followers in social media platform X, prominently known as Twitter.
In this 5th Annual India-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue signify the participation of two high-level representatives, usually ministers holding the Foreign and Defence portfolios, from the two countries.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin were the principal participants from the US side.
Earlier, the New Indian Express stated that issue of upcoming Bangladeshi election was likely to be featured in India-US talks.
In a briefing at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Thursday, India’s position was sought regarding the arrest of top opposition leaders in Bangladesh. It was said that till then India has not made any statement about the arrest. What was India`s opinion in that regard?
In response, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of Indian External Affairs Ministry said, “Suppressing the opposition, arresting leaders, putting them in jail - these comments are not mine. These belong to the questioner.
“We do not want to comment on the policy of any third country...As a close friend and partner, India respects the democratic process in Bangladesh and we will continue to support Bangladesh’s vision of a stable, peaceful and progressive nation. The people of that country will decide their future.” Bagchi said while responding to a media query.
Before US Secretary of State Blinken arrived in New Delhi, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas took a trip there. Bangladesh should have free and fair elections, as the US has often stated.
