Hasina’s stay in India will not hurt bilateral ties, says interim govt

Dhaka, August 12

A top adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday said that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India will not hurt bilateral relations and Dhaka will always try to maintain good relations with New Delhi.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made the comments when he was asked whether bilateral ties with India will be affected if Hasina’s stay in India gets prolonged, Bangladesh media reported.

“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,” he said, emphasising that bilateral relations were a big matter.

Hossain said bilateral relations were a relation of interest and friendship is also of interest. “Friendship does not exist if the interest is hurt.” He said the two sides - Bangladesh and India - have interests and they will follow those interests. Hossain said they will “always try to maintain good relations” with India.

Earlier, he briefed the diplomats stationed in Dhaka, including Indian envoy Pranay Verma. — PTI

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