New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed to Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain during their meeting in Muscat earlier this week that it is important for Bangladesh not to normalise terrorism.
EAM conveyed this when the Interim Government Foreign Affairs Advisor brought up the issue of SAARC and its revival during his meeting with the EAM on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat this week.
Answering questions on the issue, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“SAARC was brought up by the Bangladesh side when EAM met with the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor.
“Everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and what activities are responsible for stymying SAARC,” he said, referring to Pakistan and its harbouring of terrorism.
“EAM conveyed that it is important that Bangladesh should not normalise terrorism,” the spokesperson added.
Bangladesh has been cosying up to Pakistan ever since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 last year. The army-backed Interim Government led by Chief Advisor Mohammed Younus has been holding meetings with senior Pakistani officials and striking trade deals.
Pakistan has been trying for revival of SAARC and is using its new-found warm relations with Dhaka to raise the issue.
Asked about the anti-India comments made by certain advisors in the Interim Government and its impact on the bilateral ties, the MEA spokesperson said:
“Yes, we have obviously taken note of such remarks, which are of course not helpful. It is for the concerned individuals to reflect on implications for their particular domain,” he said.
After meeting Touhid Hossain, the EAM had posted on X:
“Met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The conversation was focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on BIMSTEC.”
