The US President Barack Obama has instructed his officials to “ramp
up consultations” with India on the political crisis in Bangladesh,
the Indian state news agency, PTI reports.
His directives came as he took seriously Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh’s ‘concerns’, raised during the two Premiers’ recent meeting in
White House.
According to the report, the US officials had earlier told New Delhi
that they are “more comfortable” with Khaleda Zia-led opposition BNP.
But such a direction from Obama came after Singh personally raised
concerns on the current political crisis in Bangladesh, “in particular
violence and growing radicalisation in the country, which he argued,
poses threat to India and the region”.
Quoting sources PTI said that Obama took Singh’s concerns seriously
and asked for increased discussions with India.
The issue was also discussed separately in detail by National Security
Advisor Shivshankar Menon and his American counterpart Susan Rice, it
further reported quoting sources.
It said US envoy to Dhaka, Dan Mozena’s recent New Delhi visit for
consultations with top officials of the Ministry of External Affairs
was part of these “ramped up” consultations.
“I have seen the press reports. It is for the Indians to define what
their position is. From the US perspective I do not think there is any
difference of opinion between the US and India,” PTI reported quoting
an unnamed US official.
During its recent meetings, the US has conveyed to India that it is
interested in ensuring “free, fair and credible” elections and not
bothered about the results of the upcoming general elections in
Bangladesh”.
“With respect to our support to democracy, the democratic processes,
the US is not invested in an outcome in Bangladesh. But we are
invested in a political process that leads to free, fair and credible
elections and that’s our efforts are oriented towards and that’s our
engagement with both political parties has been about and that’s what
we have conveyed to our counterparts in the government of India as
well,” the US officials have been quoted to have told PTI.
“I would think that would be consistent with the position that the
government of India would take,” the official said in response to a
question on the differences between India and US on the issue of
Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s major two parties –ruling Awami League and opposition BNP
–are still at loggerheads over the nature of the polls time
government, despite the fact that the elections have to be held by Jan
24.
The ruling party wants an all-party interim government while
opposition demands the earlier form of caretaker regime, which was
scrapped through a constitutional amendment, to oversee the polls.
This impasse allows diplomats in Dhaka to discuss Bangladesh’s own
political issues with the leaders of both parties.-bdnews24.com
