I was misinterpreted: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said he was misinterpreted as he never sought any help from the Indian government to stay in power.

Rather he told the Indian government that Bangladesh would be happy if India helps Bangladesh in maintaining stability, explained the minister. 

Nothing that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants stability and communal harmony in the country, he said: "So, stability is the most important. We want stability in this region, too. We don’t want any instability. If we can do this, it will be meaningful in this Golden Chapter of our relations."

The minister said this while explaining what he wanted to say in Chattogram at a programme on Thursday night.

Earlier, he offered munajat and paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara on Friday. 

Momen said he conveyed that there are some wicked people in both countries – Bangladesh and India – who make instigative remarks and they instigate to turn minor things into big ones.

“Both the governments have a responsibility to stop this. If we can do that, there will be communal harmony and there will be no uncertainty,” he added.

Momen said Bangladesh gets stability when PM Hasina remains there ( in power) and the development journey remains uninterrupted when there is stability.

The foreign minister said he referred to what the Assam Chief Minister told him and that exactly he conveyed to the Indian government.

“I conveyed to the Indian government that your chief minister said there is stability as Sheikh Hasina is there. It benefits both sides,” Momen said.

On Thursday, Momen reportedly said he requested the Indian government to do whatever necessary to help Bangladesh maintain stability and harmony.

"When I went to India, I told the Indian government that Sheikh Hasina must be sustained. Bangladesh will continue to march towards development and will truly become a country free of communalism under her leadership," he said.

Speaking as the chief guest at a Janmashtami, one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu calendar, programme in Chattogram, Momen also said, "If someone takes the country to the path of instability to shake Sheikh Hasina's government, then it is a danger for everyone. We want stability."

The foreign minister said they told the Indian government that the two countries will work in such a way that neither side promotes instigative behaviors to maintain law and order and stability.