Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain today said Bangladesh favors a peaceful resolution to the India-Pakistan tensions over Kashmir, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the means to ensure peace and stability across South Asia.

“Our position is clear …we want peace across South Asia,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain told reporters this afternoon at the foreign ministry here today.

He said that India and Pakistan have had conflict-prone relations for decades, but Dhaka does not want any major confrontation that could endanger the people of the region.

Hossain claimed that Bangladesh enjoys strong bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan.

“We hope they (India and Pakistan) resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. Some countries have already offered mediation proposals.
 Regardless of whether it is through bilateral talks or mediation, we want to see tensions reduced and peace maintained,” he said.

Responding to a query about whether Bangladesh would follow Iran and Saudi Arabia in offering mediation between India and Pakistan, the Adviser said, “At this stage, we do not believe it is appropriate for us to assume any mediatory role.”

However, he said “If they (India and Pakistan) specifically seek our assistance, we will consider it. Until then, we will not take any initiative on our own.”
On the possible impact of India-Pakistan tensions on Bangladesh, Hossain noted that in today’s interconnected world, regional developments inevitably have some degree of influence on all countries.

When asked about reports of enhanced security measures along the Bangladesh-India border, the Adviser said that this matter falls under the jurisdiction of security agencies.

“At the moment, I have no information suggesting any additional deployment or special security arrangements,” he added.

Meanwhile, Indian media reported that Iran and Saudi Arabia have separately offered to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad in an effort to ease the situation.