Hasina’s statements from India not conducive: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has conveyed Indian High Commissar Pranay Verma that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent statements from India is not conducive to improving Dhaka-Delhi ties.

The foreign adviser was briefing journalists about outcomes of his separate meetings with numbers of envoy stationed in Dhaka including Indian High Commissioner on Wednesday.

“Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements made from India is not conducive in improving Dhaka-Delhi relations ... this is the stand of the Bangladesh's interim government,” he said.

“The statements made by her (Hasina) from India is not convenient, not comfortable for the (interim) government ... we want to see she (Hasina) will not do it (making statement) staying in India,” Hossain said.

The adviser hooped that the Indian envoy will convey the Bangladesh's interim government's concern to his headquarters in Delhi.
   
The adviser said he also pointed out the highly exaggerated media campaign in India about happenings in Bangladesh.

“I directly told him that Indian media has been exaggerating it that creates a bad environment ... they should (Indian media) not do it,” he added.

During the meeting, the adviser stressed on some key issues like stopping border killing, concluding Teesta water sharing agreement and ensuring supply of essential commodities.

“On border killing, I told him that if we sincerely want it we can stop, it’s my belief,” Husain said.
 
Regarding Teesta water sharing, the Adviser said, it is true there is no adequate water in Teesta river, but there is water.

 “I know there is scarcity of water (in Teesta river), but still water flow is there ... I asked him, if there is 100 cusec of water, can't we get 30 cusec?” he said.

Hossain said he emphasized the importance on fostering more ‘people-centric engagement’ with New Delhi in the coming days.
“The (Dhaka-Delhi) tie should not be only government to government ... people satisfaction should be there ... people need to believe that we have good relations with India,” he said.