The Message the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Delivered to India This Time

He gave this message to India while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (August 13) afternoon.

In response to a question from journalists about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to India and Japan, Shama Obaed said that Bangladesh is currently going through several important internal and constitutional activities, including the presidential election and the upcoming parliamentary session. Overall, the Prime Minister is going through an extremely busy time.

She said, once these internal pressures ease and schedules align, the visits to Japan as well as India will definitely take place. The Bangladesh government holds a positive attitude toward relations with all countries, and this mainly depends on the Prime Minister's schedule.

In response to another question, the State Minister said that any bilateral problem between Bangladesh and India has a major opportunity to be resolved through discussions at the highest level of the two countries, that is, at meetings between the Prime Ministers.

In response to a question about what shape bilateral relations would take if the Prime Minister visits India, she said, whenever the leaders of the two countries hold talks, opportunities to resolve many problems are created. That opportunity still exists. From India's side as well, it would be appropriate to make the best use of that opportunity.

When asked whether any positive decision had been made about the Prime Minister's India visit, she said, 'I am always positive. Possibilities always remain. But right now there are many political programmes in Bangladesh as well — the presidential election, the parliamentary session, and a lot of constitutional work lies ahead.'

The State Minister further said the government is busy, and the Prime Minister is also busy. If everything can be coordinated within that, of course there will be an India visit, a Japan visit; all visits will take place.

In response to a question about whether the Prime Minister is going to India to attend the BRICS summit or on a bilateral visit, she said, 'BRICS is still far away. Many things can change within a month.'

At this time, the State Minister gave a strong message regarding the recent remarks by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently on Indian soil. She said, 'When a convicted accused person, sitting on Indian soil, makes all sorts of comments, the people of Bangladesh do not take it well in any way. As a neighboring country, Bangladesh hopes India will remember this matter with due seriousness.'