With India's backing, Bangladesh invites foreign observers ahead of Jan elections

Tribune News Service

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, November 25

Bangladesh has sought to neutralise western criticism over its next General Election in January by inviting foreign envoys to send observers to ascertain the situation first hand. The European Union has agreed to send observers and the response from other countries is awaited, said a diplomatic source.

“We interacted with several heads of missions and briefed them on the elections, besides asking them to open consulates in Bangladesh. We told them there will be a festive atmosphere though recently some opposition activists have engaged in destructive activities,” Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen told the media here on Saturday.

“If appropriate, they can send observers. We are welcoming foreign observers. We assure them of cooperation,” Momen said while appreciating India’s stand. “India has already made its stand clear. It has assured that it will go by our Constitution and people’s desire,” he said.

Talking about the interaction to which 90 foreign envoys were invited, the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary said he hoped other countries criticising the absence of main opposition leader Khaleda Zia would see the situation from Bangladesh’s prism.

Led by the US, Bangladesh is under intense pressure to appoint a caretaker government for the General Election in January. The West has also asked Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to sit down with Zia to sort out differences. Hasina is in concurrence with this suggestion but wants US President Joe Biden to show the way by meeting Donald Trump. As for a caretaker government, Dhaka points out that the Bangladesh Constitution now has no such provision. This is an argument that India agrees with.

At the Foreign Office consultations that were also held on Friday, India and Bangladesh discussed the contours of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This is part of Dhaka’s move to prepare an alternate strategy as it graduates to developing country status from a least developing country in 2026. This means that the comfort of special, discounted tariffs that governed its exports will no longer be there.

“We have qualified for the graduation because of good performance. But if support measures are withdrawn abruptly, it can be seen as punishing good performance,” added Momen.

In an election year, Bangladesh is keen to keep prices stable and has requested India for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities such as onions, eggs and rice. “The problem is that sometimes India also has shortages. It will then definitely try to protect and maintain price stability in the domestic market (by banning exports),” acknowledged Momin while suggesting to his counterpart Vinay Kwatra that an assurance for a minimum amount would keep speculators in Bangladesh at bay.

US, Russia in war of words

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has claimed that US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and an opposition leader discussed plans to hold anti-government protests in Dhaka. The US State Department said, “We are aware of Zakharova's mischaracterisation of US foreign policy and Ambassador Haas’s meetings.”

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