Deputy Foreign Minister Humayun Kabir has said there is no prospect of the prime minister visiting India before the United Nations General Assembly session.
“The date for the India visit has not yet been finalized. Discussions are ongoing between the two countries on this,” he said.
He made the remarks Saturday morning at a hotel in Sylhet city while exchanging views with leaders of the Electronic Media Journalist Association (EMJA), an organization of television journalists.
The deputy minister noted that the prime minister will attend the UN General Assembly session carrying a message of new Bangladesh’s progress. He is also expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump there.
On Bangladesh’s relations with India, he said that although various problems exist between the two countries, the path of dialogue remains open. As a neighboring country, Bangladesh should maintain good relations with India.
On the energy sector, Deputy Minister Humayun said the extent of past corruption in the sector becomes clear simply by looking at it. The current government is giving the energy sector the highest priority and working sincerely to resolve the crisis.
On the Mecca agreement, he said, “Discussions on this are ongoing. Bangladesh joining the agreement would not be unusual. Many countries today are part of multiple security alliances. Bangladesh will join wherever necessary based on its national interest.”
“No one is pressuring Bangladesh to buy Boeing aircraft. The purchases from the United States are being made because of the country’s own needs and demand. More aircraft will be bought in the future if needed,” the deputy minister added.
On labor exports to Malaysia, he said the syndicate that operated during the Awami League government’s tenure had negatively affected labor exports to that country. The current government has broken up that syndicate, and workers will now be sent to Malaysia in phases.
Asked about allegations that Bangladeshi nationals in Kolkata have been denied hotel accommodation and forced to spend nights on the street, he stressed that if specific incidents are brought to the Foreign Ministry’s attention, necessary action will be taken.
Journalists were harassed on Friday while covering an event held by the deputy minister. In light of that, he held a courtesy meeting and exchange of views with EMJA leaders on Saturday morning.
Also present were BNP’s central deputy organizing secretary and Sylhet WASA chairman Miftah Siddiqui, Sylhet district BNP general secretary and Sylhet-6 lawmaker Imran Ahmed Chowdhury, along with other EMJA leaders.
The UN General Assembly’s 81st session will be held on Sept. 8.