TDS Desk:

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (August 14) urged India to stop border killings, finalize the Teesta water-sharing agreement, and ensure a steady supply of essential commodities between the two nations.

He raised the issues when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on him at the Foreign Ministry in the capital, according to a press release issued by the Ministry.

During the meeting, the adviser also emphasized the importance of fostering more “people-centric engagement” with New Delhi in the coming days.

About former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements, Hossain mentioned that such statements emanating from India is not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations.

He also pointed out the highly exaggerated media campaign in India about happenings in Bangladesh.

The Adviser retreated that Bangladesh wants to work closely with India for promoting bilateral relations.

The Indian high commissioner congratulated the Adviser on his new assignment and referred to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes to the Chief Adviser Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The envoy expressed the keen willingness of the Indian government to work with Bangladesh’s interim government in the coming days to fulfil the shared aspirations of peoples of both countries.

The foreign affairs adviser thanked the Indian government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser on his assumption of new responsibility.

Hossain affirmed the interim government’s commitment to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh, including the minorities.

He mentioned that the government is pledge-bound to ensure the safety and security of all religious and ethnic groups and will not tolerate any violence or intimidation against them.

All religious groups and the political parties are also working to ensure safety and security of the minorities, he added.

The foreign affairs adviser also briefed the high commissioner about the current situation in Bangladesh.

He mentioned that the most pressing task before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order situation and bring the economy on track.

Hossain said the interim government is committed to ensuring a transition to inclusive and pluralistic democracy and create an atmosphere to hold free, fair and participatory elections.

He mentioned that Bangladesh witnessed a second liberation last week through a mass uprising spearheaded by valiant students.

He said the combined forces of the students and people have emerged victorious against the forces of authoritarianism and repression in their quest for ending discriminations and inequities.