India – at a foreign and defense minister-level meeting held with the United States last Friday – clarified its stance on Bangladesh, conveying that India supports the “goal of a stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh” as a friend and partner.
Veena Sikri, who had previously served as the Indian high commissioner to Dhaka, discussed India’s position and the overall situation in the neighbouring countries while speaking to the Amader Shomoy correspondent.
At all times during any discussion, issues of bilateral interests inevitably come up. Regional situations in nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and other areas of interest are discussed. I am sure the regional issues have been discussed this time as well.
The overall situation in Bangladesh centring upcoming polls, and achievements of the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been explained to the friendly nation USA. This is normal, not unusual.
The US is always interested in India's assessment of Bangladesh. Hence, India provided its assessment.
Ex-foreign secretary Mohan Kwatra has rightly said what India has always said, India wants stability, prosperity and democracy in Bangladesh. I think that the election in Bangladesh is their internal matter. The people of Bangladesh will decide their future government.
India does not believe in interfering in the internal affairs of any country. This is what we have been saying all along. When we have elections in India, we also do not want interference from any other country. India has its own election process.
All the measures taken by the United States, including sanctions and visa policies, are the actions of their own government. We cannot say anything in this regard. They [USA] have taken similar actions against many other countries as well.
We can only explain the situation in Bangladesh to them [USA]. We also told them [USA] openly about the China issue. We have made it clear that China is trying to increase its influence in Bangladesh, according to our observation.
But when the election is a matter of concern, as we said, it will be decided by the people of Bangladesh. Free, fair polls are a good thing for any democracy. But the political parties of Bangladesh will decide whether to participate in the election or not, instead of anyone else.
I think, if any particular political party of Bangladesh participates in the election, it will be good. A satisfying polling environment should be there. If a political party does not participate in polls, that is their decision.
They cannot blame the election process. They can only say that they have decided not to participate in the polls. I will say again, the election is an internal issue of Bangladesh. Their people will decide their government.
I will discuss two matters. First of all, when we speak about strikes and blockades, peaceful protest is a democratic right. So the BNP and other parties have the right to protest. But protests must be peaceful and non-violent.
This is very important. When protest turns into violence, the peace of the society is destroyed, unrest is created. Police are dying, youths are dying, cars are being burnt. Violence is not good. Any peaceful protest is perfect in democracy.
When we are discussing the right to participate, I still do not know why the BNP is saying that they will not participate in the polls. On the caretaker government issue, I think the matter has been settled in many ways.
The issue reached the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. It has been argued that there cannot be a caretaker government constitutionally. I do not understand that after five years of the last election, the BNP has again brought up the same issue.
But the Supreme Court has already settled the matter, and BNP should consider this.
