Staff Reporter:
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain yesterday said that Sheikh Hasina’s extended stay in Delhi will not negatively impact the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
“Bilateral relations is a big thing … it’s built on mutual interest,” he said when asked by a journalist if Sheikh Hasina’s prolonged stay in India might affect the relationship between the two neighboring coun-tries.
“This is a hypothetical question. If someone stays in a country there is no reason the relations with that particular country will be affected,” he said.
Hossain made these comments while speaking to reporters after briefing diplomats, including Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka yesterday.
The adviser said bilateral relations are driven by mutual interests. “Friendship is based on interests, and it does not survive if those interests are compromised,” he said.
Hossain pointed out that India has its interests in Bangladesh, just as Dhaka has its interests in Delhi. “We will pursue our interests, and our efforts to maintain good relations with India will continue,” he said.
He also reaffirmed that Bangladesh is committed to upholding all agreements made with other countries.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was present.
