Sheikh Hasina's Stay In India Won't Affect Bilateral Ties, Says Bangladesh Interim Govt

The briefing was the first diplomatic engagement of the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh days after Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5.

Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of an interim government on Thursday.

Source : PTI

Bangladesh's newly installed interim government on Monday said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stay in New Delhi would not affect the bilateral relations with India. 

"The bilateral relationship between the two countries is not influenced by the presence of one individual in a country. Bilateral relations are a significant matter, involving mutual interests from both sides—India has its interests, and Bangladesh has its interests," Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said during a press briefing, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

The briefing was the first diplomatic engagement of the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh days after Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5.

Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of an interim government on Thursday, days after student-led protests ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. The 84-year-old Nobel laureate was sworn in as the chief advisor - a position equivalent to prime minister. 

During the briefing, which was attended by representatives from all diplomatic missions in Dhaka, including UN agencies, Hossain exuded confidence that the international community would continue to support the interim government and the people of Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh is on the brink of a new beginning. We are proud of our students for being the vanguard of the new Bangladesh they envision," he reportedly said.

He further said that the combined forces of students and people triumphed over authoritarianism and repression, "striving to end discrimination and inequity."

'No Plan On Banning Awami League'

Earlier today, Bangladesh Home Minister Sakhawat Hossain said the interim government had no intention of banning Hasina's Awami League party.

"The party has made many contributions to Bangladesh -- we don't deny this," Sakhawat Hossain said while answering to questions on a possible ban on Hasina's political outfit.

"When the election comes, (they should) contest the elections," Sakhawat Hossain was quoted by AFP.