Bangladesh is looking to reset its bilateral relationship with India, focusing on direct engagement to build a constructive partnership, according to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kobir stressed the need for bilateral discussions rather than multilateral forums to address issues between the two nations.
Kobir highlighted that Bangladesh needs to move beyond what he termed an 'excessive preoccupation' with India, treating New Delhi as it would any other country, based on mutual interests. He stated, 'We have to get out of the India fascination. India is just another country, and Bangladesh wants good bilateral relations with it.'
Reflecting on the previous 15 years, Kobir described the relationship with India as 'uncomfortable' under what he called an 'authoritarian, corrupt, and exploitative' regime. He expressed a desire to start a new chapter in bilateral ties, emphasizing that Bangladesh seeks to rebuild relations through dedicated bilateral visits rather than meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events.
The state minister clarified that his remarks on bilateral and multilateral engagements were specifically applicable to India. He noted, 'What I said was mainly applicable to India. We want to build a good working bilateral relationship with India.' He assured that Bangladesh would continue to hold meetings with other countries on the sidelines of regional and international forums when necessary.
Addressing recent incidents along the Bangladesh-India border, Kobir said Dhaka would seek to resolve such issues through established diplomatic channels. 'We will resolve these issues through diplomatic discussions,' he stated, adding that Bangladesh would raise its concerns with India at every appropriate level while adhering to international law and existing border protocols.
Kobir also mentioned the ongoing review of 101 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. He explained that these agreements were being scrutinized and reviewed through the parliamentary process. This review is part of Bangladesh's broader effort to ensure that all bilateral agreements serve the mutual interests of both nations.
The move to reset the bilateral relationship signifies Bangladesh's intent to foster a more balanced and mutually beneficial partnership with India. By focusing on direct engagement and resolving border issues through diplomatic means, Bangladesh aims to strengthen its ties with its neighbor, which is crucial for regional stability and economic cooperation.
