Staff Reporter:
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain yesterday said he finds no reason for India’s decision to recall family members of its diplomats from Bangladesh, stressing that there is no security situation en-dangering foreign officials or their families.
“It is entirely their internal matter. They (India) can ask their officials or families to leave at any time,” he said while responding to journalists’ questions at the foreign ministry yester evening.
Asked whether the withdrawal of Indian diplomats’ family members signaled any security concern, Tou-hid said there was no such indication. “I do not understand what kind of signal this could be,” he added.
The adviser reiterated that no incident has occurred in Bangladesh suggesting any risk to Indian diplo-mats or their families.
“There is no situation here that would indicate danger. Perhaps they have some apprehension or want to convey a message, but I cannot identify any clear reason,” he added.
The adviser said Bangladesh has not received any formal communication from India regarding security concerns. “We have not been told that they are in danger,” he said.
Referring to the broader security situation, the adviser said there has been no overall disruption.
He noted that during the past election periods, minor scuffles were not uncommon, but the current situa-tion does not appear worse than before.
China drone deal Bangladesh’s sovereign decision
Responding to another question, Touhid said Bangladesh’s recently signed government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China for drone manufacturing, assembly and technology transfer was based on national interest, and reactions from other countries were irrelevant.
“If Bangladesh decides to set up an industry or factory with assistance from another country, it will do so based on its own sovereign decision. What others think does not matter,” he added.
Regarding concerns over possible election-related violence, he said the government was not certain that unrest would occur.
However, the situation is being closely monitored, he said.
