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Bangladesh on Thursday expressed hope that India would respond promptly and peacefully to the concerns of its citizens amid ongoing student-led protests, reaffirming its desire for peace and stability across the region.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh, as a neighbouring country, expects India to uphold democratic values in addressing the situation.
“As a democratic government and state, we would expect India, as the world’s largest democracy, to take into account the position of its people and move quickly towards resolving the problem,” she said in response to a question about the protests.
The minister stressed that Bangladesh wants peace and stability to prevail in the region, noting that sustained stability is essential for regional cooperation, economic growth and the well-being of the people of South Asia.
Her remarks come against the backdrop of continuing student-led demonstrations in several parts of India, where protesters have been demanding reforms and voicing concerns over a range of domestic issues.
Responding to another question regarding media reports alleging a telephone conversation between President Mohammed Shahabuddin and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from office, Shama said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not received any verified information about the matter.
“We have not received any specific information regarding such reports,” she said.
The state minister added that the government would look into the issue if any credible or relevant information emerged.
“We will investigate the matter if any relevant information becomes available,” she said.
The briefing covered a range of current diplomatic and regional issues, with the government reiterating its commitment to maintaining constructive relations with neighbouring countries while closely monitoring developments that could have regional implications.