India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said New Delhi wants Bangladesh's election and democratic process to be decided by the people of the country but expects the polls to be held in a peaceful atmosphere.
"We would allow the election and democratic process as per how Bangladesh people determine it," external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a weekly press briefing at the foreign office in New Delhi.
He added, "Of course, we are closely monitoring [the situation in Bangladesh] by our High Commission there [Dhaka] . . . We hope that there is peace and no violence and the elections are held as per plans."
The spokesman's comments came as a journalist asked what India was thinking about Bangladesh's current situation and upcoming elections amid opposition demand for the polls-time caretaker government while international community opinions appeared to be "diverse" on the issue.
"I think there are multiple activities going on [in Bangladesh] . . . the whole world may be commenting on it, but India is India and we have a very special relationship with Bangladesh," Bagchi said, adding "what happens in Bangladesh, impacts us."
"On the issue of caretaker government and all, I certainly don't have any comment on it," he said.
This was the first time India officially commented on the developments in Bangladesh in the run-up to the elections.
