Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said that secularism is one of the main pillars of Sheikh Hasina led Bangladesh Awami League.
"Our party- Bangladesh Awami League is a secular party. It is because of this that 98 per cent of religious minorities in Bangladesh voted for our party. But it is also true that there are negative and fanatic elements in Bangladesh who try to destabilize the society from time. But our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strengthened firm action against these elements, \ said Mr Mahmud while addressing the first civil society gathering after taking over as Foreign Minister in the Vivekananda International Foundation, a renowned think tank, here on Wednesday afternoon.
He spoke on the theme Bangladesh-India relations in the last decade.
Replying to a question on the condition of minorities in Bangladesh, he contested the viewpoint that the minority population in the country was declining. "In Bangladesh, for less than 300 people, there is one Durga Puja. In West Bengal, for 1,000 people, there is one Durga Puja. Why? Because people have religious freedom and government has ensured protection. All minority communities are increasing in Bangladesh.\
During an interaction with a distinguished gathering of serving and retired diplomats and defence service officers, research scholars and media persons, the minister said the government would certainly like to remove hurdles related to issuance of visas.
"Over the last couple of years, people to people contacts have increased but we still have a long queue in front of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Chittagong and elsewhere in the country for obtaining visa. That long queue is a hurdle in strengthening people to people contact. We have seen long queues at the Bangladesh High Commission here also for visa for Bangladesh. We have discussed this issue with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. If visa issuing hurdles are removed, then it becomes easier for the people, then more people will travel from Bangladesh to India and from India to Bangladesh. More cultural exchanges are important so that people beyond the eastern province in India know about Bangladesh.\
He clarified that the Bangladesh government is not in discussion to make travel visa free. "We are discussing how we can make travel easier for the people.\
He acknowledged that he discussed the Rohingya issue with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval and the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar during a meeting on Wednesday. To a question on whether the Bangladesh government had had a chance to discuss the Rohingya issue with the UNHCR on putting a stop to Rohingyas coming from Myanmar to Bangladesh, Mr Mahmud said, "We have raised this issue in UNHCR on a number of occasions, in UN forum and the International Court of Justice. This is a problem for Bangladesh. They (Rohingyas) have created many problems- environmental problems, security problems etc in Bangladesh and the number of Rohingyas has become double of the local people. We have been going through this discussion for the last 7 years, so that Myanmar takes them back. Myanmar always says that they will take them back. They make a list and then there are delays.\
Asked if there were any discussions on the Farakka treaty due for renewal in 2026 the visiting Foreign Minister said that he discussed this issue with Dr Jaishankar on Wednesday. He told me that he will hold further discussions on this issue after Indias general elections.
In his welcome remarks, the VIF Director, Arvind Gupta said that the visit of the Bangladesh Foreign Minister augurs well for India Bangladesh relations. "India and Bangladesh are cooperating in the framework of BIMSTEC, IORA and BBIN.\
The Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi on Monday at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He will leave for Kolkata on Thursday evening to attend a reception being hosted by the Deputy High Commissioner. He is expected to call on President Droupadi Murmu tomorrow and also meet the Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal.
