The foreign secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India is set to take place in Dhaka in December, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Md Toufiq Hasan.
Discussions on the potential return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are expected to be on the agenda, he said.
Speaking at the ministry's weekly media briefing on Thursday (Nov 21), Toufiq Hasan said an inter-ministerial meeting on the matter was held recently. "The date for the FOC (Foreign Office Consultation) is still being finalized through diplomatic channels, but the meeting is expected to inject dynamism into the relations between the two countries," he said.
On Sheikh Hasina's return, the spokesperson said, "There is scope for discussion on this issue at the upcoming FOC. It will become clearer what both sides are aiming for during the meeting."
When asked about a potential extradition agreement for Sheikh Hasina’s return, he stated, "It is too early to comment on that. An inter-ministerial meeting has just been held, and further steps will take time."
Toufiq Hasan clarified that the Foreign Ministry has not yet received any formal request on the matter. "This is a political issue. We will act upon instructions from the highest level. For now, we have only seen reports suggesting Interpol involvement," he added.
The spokesperson also noted that while the issue is foreign-relations related, the matter should ideally be processed through the Foreign Ministry. "We will officially notify Indian authorities when appropriate directives are received," he said.
Regarding the agenda of the FOC, he explained that discussions will be mutually decided by both countries. "Typically, all issues are covered in these talks. Specific topics, like visa-related problems, will likely come up for discussion to find quick resolutions," Toufiq Hasan mentioned.
On addressing anti-Bangladesh propaganda in Indian media, he said, "We have repeatedly informed the Indian High Commission in Dhaka about such misinformation. We have emphasized that such campaigns are not conducive to the mutual relationship between our two nations."
He also commented on the reconsideration of agreements and MoUs between Bangladesh and India, calling it a time-intensive process. "These agreements fall under various ministries. Steps will need coordination among all parties, which requires time," he explained.
The spokesperson expressed optimism for progress in the coming days, saying, "Although progress may have been limited in the past 100 days, we hope to achieve significant advancements in the near future."
BDST: 2111 HRS, NOV 21, 2024
MSK
