Govt wants to ‘reset’ ties with India: Humaiun Kobir

The BNP government wants to reset its ties with India and take the relationship on a new positive direction following “uncomfortable” bilateral exchanges during the 15-year corrupt rule of an authoritarian regime, said Humaiun Kobir, state minister for foreign affairs, on Sunday.

The government wants to build a constructive bilateral partnership through direct engagement between the two neighbours, he said while addressing reporters at a briefing held at the Foreign Ministry Office.

“We want to move towards a new relationship, which should start through bilateral discussions, not through a multilateral forum,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At one point, a reporter asked if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would meet his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the UNGA annual general debate session starting 22 September.

In reply, Humaiun Kobir contested that the question itself was “improper” as he called for ending an excessive fascination with Indian issues. He suggested that journalists discuss Indian ties on a regular basis be it during breakfast, lunch or dinner.

India is just another country, with which Bangladesh seeks “good workable” ties, the state minister said.

Whenever the needs arise for holding talks with a delegation, the government would certainly do so at both bilateral and multilateral platforms, Humaiun said.

Read More

Bangladeshi killed in BSF firing in India’s North Dinajpur

But it is not possible to respond to “every call” on the sidelines of a multilateral event, he said.

However, when it comes to India, with which Bangladesh maintained an “uncomfortable tie-up” for 15 years, the government particularly wants to start talks for a “reset” through a bilateral visit, rather than a multilateral forum, Humaiun Kobir said.

On the scrutiny of 101 deals signed with India during Awami League’s 15-year fascist rule, the state minister said the process was underway at the parliamentary level. He referred further queries on the matter to the chief whip.

Read More

President urges strengthening trade and education ties with Pakistan