Important for people to see India as good friend: Foreign affairs adviser

Dhaka, August 11

Bangladesh's newly-installed interim government on Sunday said it would maintain a "balanced" foreign policy, asserting that Dhaka intends to maintain "smooth and positive" relations with all, including India and China.

Govt warns media over ‘misleading’ news

Bangladesh's interim government on Sunday issued a stern warning to media organisations, stating that they will be shut down if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news, in a move aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation. Home Affairs Adviser Brig Gen M Sakhawat Hossain (retd) said: “There is a lack of substantive discussion on talk shows, and the media fails to provide accurate information.” PTI

“Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests," interim government's foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said during his first press briefing at the foreign ministry.

Hossain, whose position is equivalent to a minister, said it is meaningless to assume that this interim government is focused solely on any particular direction.

"We intend to maintain smooth and positive relations with all ... including India and China," said Hossain, who previously served as a deputy high commissioner to India.

When asked about the interim government's approach towards India, Hossain said both countries share a strong and deep bond.

"(But) it is important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh...We want that, we want to advance the (Dhaka-Delhi) relation towards that direction,” said Hossain, a career diplomat and former foreign secretary.

He said the interim government "would like to see India cooperate with us in this regard" and underscored the need for “addressing public expectations by delivering tangible outcomes from the bilateral ties with India”.

This was the first media interaction of Hossain since the interim government was sworn in on Thursday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following widespread protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Hossain said the interim administration was committed to staging a fair and impartial election. — PTI