New Delhi, Dec 26 (UNI) India today reiterated that it stands for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh, amid the return of BNP leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years, and the banning of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, the oldest and largest political party in Bangladesh.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, answering questions at the weekly briefing, also put forth India’s stand on relations with the people of Bangladesh very clearly – stating that:
“India wants close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, which is rooted in the Liberation struggle and strengthened through various development and people to people initiatives.”
He said “We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.”
Asked about the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years, the spokesperson said: “We support free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, and the return of the BNP leader from London should be seen in that context.”
He also said that India’s Line of Credit and development cooperation with Bangladesh stand as before, notwithstanding the tensions with the Yunus-led interim government.
“We want to have strong and vibrant ties with the people of Bangladesh, and our development assistance should be seen in that regard.”
To a question on the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has taken refuge in India since her ouster in August last year, the spokesperson said that India’s stand on the issue is as it was before.
Since the time the interim government wrote to India to extradite Hasina, India has maintained that it is “examining” the request, and left it at that.
“With Bangladesh we have broad-based relations. However, circumstances are a little different now, but we stand for peace and stability and we want to have strong ties with the people of Bangladesh, “ the spokesperson said.
