Neighbour India is discussing Bangladesh’s current political situation with different countries including the US, high commissioner Pankaj Saran in Dhaka has said.“Definitely we are discussing the situation of Bangladesh with different countries who have an interest in peace and stability of Bangladesh,” he said, “so we have discussed the situation here with the American government as well.”
He, however, did not provide details at what level and whom in the US, did India discuss Bangladesh with.
The envoy was replying to questions after inaugurating “Dharmarajika Dining Hall-cum-Library Building” at Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery.
The question came after local media and Indian news agency PTI, quoting unnamed officials reported that the US was into talks with India about Bangladesh’s current political situation.
This is the first time the Indian High Commissioner has admitted to the discussions officially.
Bangladesh’s major political parties –ruling Awami League and opposition BNP –are at loggerheads over the nature of poll-time government. The polls are scheduled to be held within Jan 24.
Ever since it became clear that Bangladesh was headed for a political stalemate due to conflicting perceptions about holding the parliament polls, foreign diplomats have become active in Dhaka.
Those from the US, UK, European Union, China and India have come out with appeals for dialogue between the rival coalitions to break the jinx and pave the way for peaceful and inclusive elections.
The US envoy in Dhaka Dan W Mozena also flew to New Delhi and had discussions with Indian foreign ministry officials. But Indian media said he had gone to Delhi ‘uninvited’.
There are reports that the Indians and the Americans have also discussed the Bangladesh situation on the sidelines of the India-Japan-US trilateral dialogue at Tokyo this week.
The US delegation at the trilateral was led by its new Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal who would arrive in Dhaka on Saturday
However, Pankaj Saran denied any knowledge of discussions in Tokyo.
The envoy also said that a dialogue with all political parties in Bangladesh was on, but one ‘strictly within the diplomatic framework.’
Asked what they discussed when Prime Minister’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy met him recently, Saran said that Joy ‘updated’ him about the latest situation and the views of the ruling Awami League on the forthcoming elections.
“This was part of our dialogue that we maintain with all political parties but scrupulously sticking to diplomatic propriety”.
Speaking at the function he also called for religious harmony and peace for progress.
He said India represents a civilisation where “we are very proud of our plurality, of the many religions and languages”.
He said the constitution that gave right to practice all religions and right to freedom of all made India ‘a model’ to the world.
The Dining Hall-cum-Library Building has been constructed with Indian assistance.
The Monastery provides residential education facilities to about 750 orphan students from across Bangladesh.
“We feel we have contributed a little bit to the wonderful work (Monastery),” the envoy said. – bdnews24.com
