Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus is working on meaningful reforms and a lasting transformation to fulfill the aspirations of the people, especially the youth. 

He also said the government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections.

Touhid Hossain made the remarks when the High Commissioner of India Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call to the Adviser for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (14 Aug).  

During the meeting, Verma congratulated the Adviser for Foreign Affairs on his new responsibilities. 

He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes to the Chief Adviser and expressed the keen willingness of the Government of India to work with the interim government in the coming days to fulfill the shared aspirations of people from both countries. 

Briefing the High Commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh, Touhid mentioned that Bangladesh witnessed a second liberation last week through a mass uprising spearheaded by valiant students. 

The combined forces of the students and people have emerged victorious against the forces of authoritarianism and repression in their quest for ending discrimination and inequities, he said. 

The Adviser further said the fearless student movement against a discriminatory public service recruitment system soon morphed into a nationwide revolutionary struggle to establish a rules-based, just, fair and inclusive society. Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus agreed to take the helm of the interim government at the request of the students and people.   

Touhid Hossain mentioned that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track. 

The government is working on meaningful reforms and a lasting transformation to fulfill the aspiration of the people, especially the youth, he said and added that the government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections.

Adviser for Foreign Affairs thanked Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Hon’ble Chief Adviser on his assumption of his new responsibilities.

Adviser for Foreign Affairs mentioned that Bangladesh wants to work closely with India to promote bilateral relations. He stressed more ‘people-centric engagement’ in the upcoming days. He particularly stressed some key issues like stopping Border Killing, the conclusion of the Teesta Water sharing Agreement, and ensuring the supply of essential commodities. 

Adviser for Foreign Affairs also mentioned about highly exaggerated media campaign about happenings in Bangladesh. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements mentioned that such statements emanating from India are not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations. 
Adviser for Foreign Affairs affirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to ensure the peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh including the minorities. 

He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them. He added that all religious groups and other political parties are also working to ensure the safety and security of the minorities.