‘India has been informed that Sheikh Hasina is trying to create tension in Bangladesh from Indian

Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, Sheikh Hasina is trying to create a kind of tension by taking refuge in India after being ousted from power and our concern about the matter has been clearly conveyed to India.

She said this at a press briefing on Monday evening. The press secretary of the chief advisor, Shafiqul Alam, was present at the time.

This news briefing was held regarding the meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and 19 diplomats from European Union countries.

Regarding the meeting with the Indian Foreign Secretary, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, ‘The meeting was told by India that they want to take forward bilateral relations with Bangladesh and are interested in strengthening the relationship further. India monitored the July-August revolution. From our side, it was said that we want to see SAARC in a strong role. We also said that we are together in BIMSTEC. Concerns have been expressed about the various propaganda being spread about us.’

In response to a question, she said, ‘The ousted Prime Minister has taken refuge in India. He is trying to create a kind of tension by making various statements from there. Our concerns in this regard have been clearly conveyed to India.’

Syeda Rizwana Hasan also said, ‘The image of Bangladesh is being questioned. The July-August coup is being questioned. India’s statement on these is that their government is not responsible in any way. The government is not doing these things, and they are not even “owning” them. These things are being done by various media and organizations.’

Regarding the attack on the Bangladesh mission in India and visas, Rizwana, an advisor, said, ‘India has promised that they will take the initiative to extend visas. We have already protested about the violent behavior at the Deputy High Commission and they have expressed regret. Since today they are talking about taking forward and strengthening relations with the interim government, we assume that they are still in a position to express regret in these matters. This has not been said again.’

“We have responded to the propaganda in many ways, both written and verbal. There is little scope for showing the incidents that have occurred as communal. They are personal and mostly political. Our clear position is that the Bangladesh government is not a part of this and is not tolerating any incident. Legal action has been taken if any complaint is received,” he said.

The advisor further said, “The Indian secretary has said that the cloud that has come in our relations due to various reasons must be removed. We have also said that this cloud must be removed. At the same time, the two sides have agreed that there are many other issues of mutual interest and there are many opportunities to work together on them.”