Int’l Desk:

India has said it neither organised nor endorsed the recent press briefing in which former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina made remarks about Bangladesh’s current government.

The clarification came on Friday, two days after the 5 August virtual press briefing, during the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) weekly media briefing.

Responding to a question from journalists, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the event had been organised by a private media entity and that the Government of India had no role in it.

“The government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity, and it does not endorse anything said at the forum, especially with regard to the duly constituted government of Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said.

He reiterated that India did not support any of the remarks made by Hasina or other speakers at the briefing, particularly those concerning Bangladesh’s current government.

Jaiswal was also asked about comments made by Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, during the briefing, in which he claimed Bangladesh was “turning into Pakistan” and that terrorism was spreading in the country.

In response, the Indian spokesperson said New Delhi closely monitors developments in neighbouring Bangladesh, particularly those related to India’s national security.

“We keep a close watch on our immediate neighbourhood, especially on issues that have a bearing on our national security, and we take appropriate measures whenever necessary,” he said.