No PM visit to India before UNGA: Humaiun

There is no possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visiting India before the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, although discussions between the two countries are continuing on a possible schedule, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Saturday.

“Discussions are ongoing, but the dates have not yet been finalised,” he said at a meeting with leaders of EMJA, an organisation of television journalists working in Sylhet.

The state minister said Bangladesh-India relations should move forward on the basis of mutual respect, engagement and national interest.

“As a neighbour, there should be good relations with India,” he said, adding that despite thousands of issues between the two countries, the path to dialogue remains open.

Humaiun said Bangladesh maintains strong ties with the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and various Middle Eastern countries, while an effective working relationship is also developing with Russia.

He said the prime minister would attend the UNGA session with a message on the progress of the "new Bangladesh" and that a meeting with US President Donald Trump was possible during the visit.

The 81st session of the UNGA is scheduled to open on September 8 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Asked about Bangladesh's recent purchase of Boeing aircraft from the United States and a letter from the US president, Humaiun said there was no pressure on Bangladesh to buy Boeing aircraft.

"No one is putting any pressure to buy Boeing aircraft. Boeing is being bought from America because the country has a need, and more will be bought if required. Be it Boeing or Airbus, whatever is needed will be bought," he said.

On the proposed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the state minister said discussions were underway and that joining the agreement would not be unusual for Bangladesh.

"Many countries in today's world are part of more than one security alliance. Bangladesh will go wherever it needs to, based on national interest," he said.

Speaking about the energy sector, Humaiun said the scale of corruption in the sector could be understood by examining its past operations, describing it as "psychopathic corruption".

He said the prime minister was giving the sector the highest priority and that the government was working sincerely to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Regarding labour migration to Malaysia, the state minister said the process had been negatively affected by a syndicate during the Awami League regime.

"The current government has broken the syndicate. Labour exports to Malaysia will resume in phases," he said.
Responding to a question about allegations that Bangladeshi visitors were being denied hotel accommodation in Kolkata and forced to spend nights on the streets, Humaiun said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take action if specific examples were brought to its attention.