2024-09-08 10:11:14
Expressing surprise at Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on the Bangladesh issue, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said, “I am more surprised than worried about Rajnath Singh’s statement.”
He said this in response to a question from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (September 8).
There have been reports in the media that India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has asked their armed forces to be ready in view of the situation in Europe and Bangladesh. In response to the question whether it is a concern for Bangladesh or not, Tauhid Hossain said, I am more surprised than I am concerned why he said this. I can’t find any reason for it. I do not at all think there is any danger of us having a war with India. We have to understand whether he said it for the consumption of his own country or not. Beating around the bush a lot as he said.
“Because of the war in Ukraine, India does not see any need for war preparations. What does India have to do with the problem with Hamas? How Bangladesh compares with Ukraine-Hamas is also beyond my understanding. I don’t want to show any reaction. We will definitely see why he said this.’
In response to the question whether such statements are a threat to Bangladesh or not, he said, I still think he said it because of his own internal conflict. So don’t want to guess.
When asked whether he has contacted India in this regard or not, the foreign adviser said, “I do not want to say anything in this regard at the moment.” I said, we don’t want to show any reaction now. Of course I will see what is happening, why is it happening.
Rohingya issue: Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh through Myanmar border. When asked about this, the foreign adviser said, “Our position on the Rohingya issue is that we have clearly said that we are not willing to give shelter to even one Rohingya.” But we know something is going in. Trying to prevent as much as possible. BGB is pushing back every day, whom we are catching. But they are entering through different places. I can’t catch it at all. There are some capacity limitations.
The UN refugee agency wants us to give them asylum. But we made it clear to them that we have sheltered 1.2 million Rohingyas. We have done more than what our role should have been. It is no longer possible for us. He also said that those who come to advise us, let them take them.
His daughter is accompanying the Chief Adviser to the UN General Assembly session. When asked if it is related to power and patriarchy, Tauhid Hossain said, it has nothing to do with patriarchy. I’ll be happy if you don’t guess too much about it.