Not only Bangladesh, but also India is being affected by diplomatic tensions, said Towhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser to the interim government.
Stating that the economies of the two countries are being affected due to Bangladesh’s recent relations with India, he said, there has been a qualitative change in India-Bangladesh relations after August 5. However, work needs to be done on how to take the relationship forward.
The foreign affairs adviser made these remarks at a seminar titled ‘The SAARC- People of South Asia Crave for’ organized by the SAARC Journalists Forum (Bangladesh Chapter) on the occasion of the ‘40th SAARC Charter Day’ at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Sunday (December 8).
Towhid Hossain said, we hope we can overcome this deadlock. And one of the most important things to overcome the deadlock is to establish communication. The Indian Foreign Secretary is coming tomorrow. I hope they will have a fruitful discussion.
He said, the chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is very positive about strengthening SAARC. We want to return to a normal relationship regionally.
This adviser to the interim government said, the current government may be temporary but the country and interests are permanent. I am sure that naturally there is a positive attitude towards SAARC among the people. The responsibility of the political leadership is to take it forward. Let a secretary-level meeting be started, which has not happened in the last 10 years and then we will try how to convert it into a summit.
The adviser expressed optimism about regional poverty alleviation and said, if we cooperate with each other, poverty in this region can be eliminated. We have to bring everyone out of poverty. We have not achieved some success, but we have to go some more, so everyone's cooperation will be needed. SAARC has to be brought to our performance level.
Under the chairmanship of Nasir Al Mamun, President of SAARC Journalists Forum (Bangladesh Chapter) and moderated by Rafiqul Islam Azad, Convener of the Seminar Organizing Committee, Strategic Expert Brigadier General (Retd.) Hasan Nasir, President of Dhaka Journalists Union Md. Shahidul Islam, among others, delivered speeches.
In addition, Mustafa Kamal Majumder, former editor of The daily New Nation newspaper, presented the key-note paper.