PM’s India, Japan visits yet to be finalised, says Shama

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Thursday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visits to India and Japan have yet to be finalised, with the timing depending on his schedule and the progress of discussions with the countries concerned.

“The government is busy, and so is the prime minister,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to ongoing domestic programmes and upcoming constitutional activities.

"If everything fits together, then of course there will be a visit to India, a visit to Japan; all the visits will happen," she said.

The state minister said no decision had yet been made on the prime minister's participation in the BRICS summit's outreach session or a bilateral visit to India.

Asked whether the prime minister would attend the upcoming BRICS summit's outreach session or make a bilateral visit, she said there was still sufficient time to decide.

"A lot can happen in a month," she said.

"And we have said before that when a convicted fugitive sits on Indian soil and makes statements, the people of Bangladesh will not take it well, nor do they. The events of July are still fresh in people's minds; the bloodstains haven't dried yet.

Therefore, we must be sensitive in that regard. However, whenever the heads of two nations sit down, when the prime ministers of both countries meet, many problems can be resolved, and we hope for that. We also hope that India keeps this in mind," she added.