TDS Desk:

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said the government has temporarily suspended on-arrival visas to prevent any unwanted situations during the 13th parliamentary elections.

Speaking at a programme in the capital, he said the decision was taken as part of broader security measures surrounding the polls. “There can be various attempts to create instability during elections. That is why the Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended on-arrival visas so that no one can suddenly enter the country,” he said.

Touhid Hossain also referred to the issue of postal ballots, noting that steps are being taken to address possible misuse. “It is natural that some may try to misuse postal ballots. We have to remain cautious, although missions abroad have limited scope to control the process,” he said.

On defence and foreign policy issues, the adviser said Bangladesh would not take any step, including on a proposed Chinese drone manufacturing facility, that could harm relations with other countries. He also stressed the need to further enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh armed forces.

Touhid Hossain said, “Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka has been summoned and informed about the casualties on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The government of that country does not recognize the Arakan Army as legal. We have not abandoned our relations with them. When the first stage began… I said it would take a long time. Bangladesh must prepare for a long time to resolve this crisis.”

He also said, “The decision to send forces to Gaza (the decision to send troops to the international peacekeeping force proposed by US President Donald Trump) has not been made yet. Bangladesh will not go to war there. Bangladesh has 3 conditions, without which the decision cannot be made.”