Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not visit India before the upcoming UN General Assembly session, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Saturday.
He said the date for the proposed visit has not been finalised yet, but discussions between Bangladesh and India are continuing.
Kobir made the remarks during a meeting with leaders of the Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA) in Sylhet on Saturday morning.
The meeting was held after several journalists covering his programme in Sylhet were allegedly harassed on Friday. Television journalists in the city had announced a boycott of news coverage of the state minister and the local BNP following the incident at the Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine.
Kobir, who was visiting Sylhet for the first time since taking office, had offered prayers at the shrine after Jummah prayers. He was scheduled to brief journalists there.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to formally open on September 8, with the high-level general debate expected to take place later this month in New York.
Asked about the energy sector, Kobir said the extent of past corruption could be understood from the current condition of the sector. He said the government is now giving the sector the highest priority.
On the Mecca Pact, the state minister said discussions are underway and Bangladesh’s possible participation would not be unusual.
“Many countries in the world are part of multiple security alliances. Bangladesh will join wherever necessary based on its national interests,” he said.
Kobir also rejected the suggestion that Bangladesh was being pressured to buy Boeing aircraft from the United States.
“Bangladesh is buying Boeing aircraft from the United States because there is a demand for them. More aircraft may be purchased if necessary,” he said.
BNP Central Assistant Organising Secretary and Sylhet WASA Chairman Miftah Siddique and Sylhet district BNP General Secretary and Sylhet-6 MP Imran Ahmed Chowdhury were present at the meeting.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Monday that Bangladesh is buying 14 Boeing aircraft from the United States and is also planning to lease additional aircraft.
Asked about the reported Boeing purchase at the Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, Millat said the United States had requested Bangladesh to use Boeing aircraft and that the government was acting accordingly.
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