Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus raised the issue of ousted Sheikh Hasina\u2019s extradition during a meeting with Indian premier Narendra Modi in Bangkok, though no final decision was reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe raised the issue, but nothing was finalized,\u201d he told reporters at the foreign ministry declining to elaborate further when asked for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Adviser recently concluded his first bilateral visit to China and subsequently attended the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, where he held his maiden bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Foreign Adviser said both visits\u2014to China and to Thailand\u2014 had by and large fulfilled Bangladesh\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasized that progress in Dhaka-Delhi relations requires efforts from both sides. \u201cWe need to move forward together,\u201d Hossain said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the Yunus-Modi meeting in Bangkok, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that Prime Minister Modi had urged all parties to refrain from rhetoric that could damage the atmosphere of bilateral engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, Adviser Hossain acknowledged that both sides shared this sentiment. \u201cThe same kinds of statements are also coming from our side,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the talks, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India\u2019s support for a \u201cdemocratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive\u201d Bangladesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Adviser Hossain reiterated the interim government's commitment to transferring power to an elected leadership through a free and fair election. \u201cBangladesh\u2019s friends always raise the issue of elections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhenever the subject comes up in discussions, they express concern, even countries without democratic traditions often inquire about our elections,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the issue of Indian visas, the adviser said whether India issues visas or not is entirely their sovereign decision. \u201cWe have also temporarily suspended visa issuance to India in the past,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said visa restrictions do not create a vacuum. \u201cWhen any country suspends visas, people tend to explore alternatives elsewhere,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked about the Teesta River Management Project involving China, Hossain said Bangladesh remains open to cooperation with both India and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe government has taken a liberal stance. We are open to discussing the project with both sides and will evaluate where Bangladesh\u2019s interests are best served,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on the progress following the Bangladesh government\u2019s welcome of a Chinese company's involvement in the Teesta project, he noted, \u201cProgress takes time. We are not expecting an overnight solution that will resolve the Teesta issue immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCooperation is possible with either country (India or China). There are no obstacles,\u201d he reiterated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the China visit, Hossain said engagement at the highest level had yielded some progress. \u201cWhen top-level communication is in place, it facilitates the advancement of relationships at other levels,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said several documents were signed during the visit and the Chief Adviser and Chinese President discussed mutual interests. \u201cI believe the visit has had a reasonably positive impact,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the Rohingya issue, the adviser said Myanmar has confirmed that 180,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals are eligible for repatriation. However, he clarified that an immediate return is unlikely due to the prevailing conditions in Rakhine State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on protests by Bangladeshi nationals over delays in obtaining Italian visas, Hossain said Dhaka is in continuous dialogue with Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are questions concerning the authenticity of the documents submitted with visa applications. A large number of fake documents have been detected,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italian authorities are currently verifying the genuineness of submitted documents, and as a result, even applicants with legitimate paperwork are experiencing delays and complications, the adviser added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus raised the issue of ousted Sheikh Hasina\u2019s extradition during a meeting with Indian premier Narendra Modi in Bangkok, though no final decision was reached. \u201cWe raised the issue, but nothing was finalized,\u201d he told reporters at the foreign ministry declining to elaborate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":27745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-27744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-45"],"yoast_head":"\n