Bangladesh does not need advice from neighboring countries on how its elections should be conducted, Foreign Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain said on Wednesday (17 December).
Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tauhid Hossain referred to statements made by India regarding the upcoming elections. He said that during the previous Awami League government’s tenure, which oversaw what he called “farcical elections,” India did not make any comments. “That kind of advice from India is completely unacceptable to the interim government,” he added.
“The Indian side has offered certain suggestions, but we see no need for them. Bangladesh knows what it will do. This government is committed to creating an environment where people can vote freely and fairly — an environment that did not exist over the past 15 years,” he said.
He emphasized that the government is preparing for a credible election where voters will freely choose their representatives. “We do not need any advice at this moment. We know what we are doing and will ensure a proper election,” he said.
The remarks come after diplomatic exchanges between the two countries. Last Sunday, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a statement from New Delhi emphasizing India’s support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in Bangladesh. Three days later, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, was summoned by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Responding to the back-and-forth summons, Tauhid Hossain said, “We summoned their High Commissioner, and they have summoned ours. This is not unexpected; such exchanges happen regularly.”
He also criticized statements from certain individuals in India aimed at creating unrest in Bangladesh, saying, “Someone convicted by a court is trying to provoke instability from a neighboring country. In such cases, it is not unusual for us to respond or demand action.”
The Foreign Adviser reiterated that Bangladesh is fully capable of conducting its elections independently without external interference, aiming for a peaceful and credible electoral process.
