New Delhi: India has categorically rejected the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note issued on Sunday.
“We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere. India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh. We expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections”, the ministry of external affairs said.
On Saturday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma and renewed its call for the “expeditious extradition” of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She has been residing in India since fleeing Dhaka on August 5 last year.
According to a MoFA press release, officials “drew the attention” of the Indian envoy to what they described as “anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members taking shelter in India”, alleging that they were “planning, organising, and helping to carry out terrorist activities within Bangladesh to hinder the upcoming elections”.
On Sunday, High Commissioner Pranay Verma, at an event, said that India is willing to work together with Bangladesh to fulfil the aspirations of the people of both countries and forge closer people-to-people ties, inspired by their shared sacrifices of the past and guided by the new aspirations for the future.
“The bonds we share are not transient, they are everlasting. A relationship forged in blood and sacrifice cannot be weakened. Together, we will carry this shared legacy forward into the future,” he said at a programme in the evening.
“We are today two fast-growing economies. Our societies and economies are closely linked, so closely that we are interdependent on each other. Our geographical proximity to each other offers us new opportunities driven by our growing capabilities and new ambitions,” he added.
(Cover photo by Bornil Amin on Unsplash)