Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Wednesday that Dhaka does not seek advice from India on Bangladesh's election process, rejecting New Delhi's recent comments and reaffirming the interim government's commitment to holding a free, fair, and credible national election.
"We do not want advice from our neighbours on how elections in Bangladesh should be held," he told journalists at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday afternoon.
The adviser also stated that India remained silent during the farcical elections held by the ousted Awami League government.
Touhid cited recent statements from India, including advice on Bangladesh's election, which he said the interim government does not consider necessary.
"We are now on the verge of a successful election, and advice is suddenly being offered. "I find this completely unacceptable," the adviser continued.
He stated that the interim government has been clear since its inception that it wishes to create an environment in which citizens can vote freely and with dignity, something that has been lacking for the previous 15 years.
Despite widespread criticism of the electoral process, India maintained close relations with the former ousted Awami League government at the time, according to the adviser.
Touhid stated that Bangladesh is fully aware of the steps that must be taken to ensure a credible election. "People will be able to vote freely, and the candidates they choose will be elected. "That is our commitment," he stated.
He also commented on recent diplomatic exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi, stating that the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka was summoned last Sunday, while Bangladesh's High Commissioner in New Delhi was summoned three days later, on Wednesday.
"This was not unexpected. "Such summoning and counter-summoning occurs when there are differences of opinion," he said.
He stated that deposed Sheikh Hasina previously made statements on social media while in India, and that her remarks are now regularly appearing in mainstream media, often with significant provocation.
"A person who has been convicted by a court is attempting to cause instability while in our neighbouring country. In that case, asking for the statements to be halted or her return is not uncommon," he said.
The adviser went on to say that tensions in Bangladesh-India relations have existed since the formation of the interim government, and that Dhaka wants good working relations with New Delhi, though progress will require effort from both sides.
"We want the relationship to progress, but both parties must work towards that goal. "We also have our own positions and objections to certain issues," he said.
Touhid responded to New Delhi's concerns about security at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, saying security had been strengthened in light of a programme announced on Wednesday to surround the mission.
"We implemented the necessary security measures and were successful in ensuring security," he added.
The adviser recalled that similar demonstrations were held in front of Bangladesh missions in Kolkata and Agartala, where the Bangladesh mission in Agartala was attacked.
