Back free and fair polls in Bangladesh, says India as envoy summoned

Hours after the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey its “serious concern” over “incendiary statements” made by deposed PM Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday firmly rejected the assertions, saying it consistently supported “free, fair, inclusive and credible elections” in the neighbouring country.

In a measured response to a press note issued by Dhaka, the MEA said it categorically rejected the claims made by the interim government and underlined that India had never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the “friendly people” of Bangladesh.

“We expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections,” it said in a statement.

The interim government had accused India of allowing Hasina to allegedly call upon her supporters to engage in “terrorist” activities in Bangladesh with the aim of disrupting the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Dhaka also reiterated its demand for the “expeditious extradition” of Hasina, along with former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, to face death sentences awarded by a special tribunal last month.

Hasina has been living in India since August 5 last year, when she fled Bangladesh amid mass protests that forced her Awami League government out of power.

India, however, maintained that its position on Bangladesh had remained consistent and principled, centred on democratic processes and regional stability, while stressing that responsibility for maintaining law and order during the election period rested with the authorities in Dhaka.