Bangladeshi people, govt not afraid of barbed wires: PM’s Adviser

Neither the people of Bangladesh nor the government is afraid of barbed wires, said Humaiun Kobir, the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, during an exchange with reporters at the Foreign Ministry’s office in the capital on Monday.

“We (the government) will speak where it is required,” he added.

He made the remarks hours after India’s nationalist politician and West Bengal’s newly elected Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari gave approval to transfer land to that country's Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days for erecting fences along the border with Bangladesh.

During the rule of the pro-India Awami League government, border killings increased, and people were hung atop border fences, Humaiun Kobir said.

“God willing, those scenes will never again return to the border areas,” he added.

“And even if someone wishes to erect borders in the same way, Bangladesh, unlike the slavish entity cast by the ousted government, will not sit idly,” Humaiun warned.

“[Rather] This Bangladesh has plans to address such issues,” he said.

The neighbouring countries must maintain regional peace, he said. The current Bangladesh government wants dialogue with all the neighbours but also seeks a “balanced position” for all.

Despite efforts to seek peace and dialogue, “challenges” are there and will remain in the future as well. Giving an example of the “challenges”, he said, “fugitive terrorist” Sheikh Hasina continues to enjoy shelter in India despite having killed 1,500 people before fleeing from Bangladesh.

The BNP-led government has asked India to prevent Hasina from instigating or supporting violence in Bangladesh, and the Indian government has given assurances in this regard.

Regarding the newly elected nationalist provincial government in West Bengal, the PM’s adviser said Bangladesh will maintain ties with only the central government in India, and will not interfere in the internal matters of that country.