Md. Touhid Hossain, foreign adviser to the interim government, has said that Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka should be viewed in the context of bilateral relations rather than through a political lens.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (January 1), he suggested that whether tensions between the two countries ease will be evident over time.
Jaishankar, along with Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, had visited Dhaka on Wednesday (December 31) to pay their last respects to former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Other foreign dignitaries attending included Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D.N. Dungyel, Maldives’ Minister Dr. Ali Haider Ahmed, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijita Herath.
Touhid Hossain said representatives from all South Asian countries were present, including the Indian minister. “His visit was brief, but he participated in the entire programme before leaving. It was a positive gesture. There’s no need to read more into it. It should be seen in the light of interstate relations rather than political considerations,” he said.
The foreign adviser also clarified that there was no private meeting with Jaishankar. “We did not have one-on-one discussions, nor was there an opportunity for that. Other foreign dignitaries were present, including the Speaker of Pakistan, with whom he also exchanged courtesies. It was a standard diplomatic gesture,” he added.
Asked whether Jaishankar’s visit could help ease tensions between India and Bangladesh, Touhid Hossain said the answer will become clear in the future.
He also noted Khaleda Zia’s wide acceptance in Bangladesh and among neighbouring countries. “She had a positive image beyond Bangladesh. People of all political persuasions respected her, and that is widely acknowledged across South Asia. It was natural for all to participate in her funeral and pay their respects, and we view it in that context,” he said.
