Bangladesh's political changes are an “internal affair” of the country, but India is keen to continue the stable relationship, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Our on Tuesday afternoon, stressing the principle that neighbours are “interdependent”.
In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Jaishankar touched on Russia’s war on Ukraine and Delhi’s possible role as a peace broker in that conflict. He also touched on Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, the war in Gaza and a series of foreign visits in the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term.
“What is happening is their internal affair. Bangladesh is our neighbour and the relationship, from our side, is something we want to keep stable. We have good trade… our people-to-people relations are good… I want to keep the relationship like that,” Mr Jaishankar said about the crisis in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh last month suffered civil unrest and violence – the result of a student-led movement against government job quotas – that forced then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. Ms. Hasina fled Dhaka in a military plane, landing at an air base near Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.
She was expected to go to London to seek political asylum, but sources from the British Home Office told Our that the country's rules do not allow people to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary shelter.
READ | What are former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's plans? India says…
Ms Hasina is believed to be in the custody of the Indian intelligence agency for the time being.
Last month, Mr Jaishankar told parliament that Ms Hasina's office had sought permission to leave Dhaka for Delhi “at very short notice”. At an all-party briefing, he said the Indian government was prepared to give Ms Hasina time to decide on her next steps, which could include political retirement.
READ | Wants good ties with India, but on 'equality' basis: Md Yunus
Last week, Nobel Peace Prize winner Md Yunus – who is leading an interim government – said his country also wanted to maintain its previously good relationship with India, but that these ties should reflect “fairness and equality”. Mr Yunus said he had received a congratulatory phone call from Prime Minister Modi.
“We want the world to recognise Bangladesh as a respected democracy,” the 84-year-old, who opted for the title of “Chief Adviser” instead of “Prime Minister”, said in his maiden address to his country.
READ | “Remain Silent in India Until…”: Md Yunus’ Message to Sheikh Hasina
The chief adviser had a stern warning for Ms Hasina, demanding that she remain silent to avoid jeopardising the relationship between the two countries until her extradition is sought. “If India wants to keep her until Bangladesh wants her back, the condition would be that she has to remain silent,” he said.
Our is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from Our in your chat.
