B’desh seeks to boost visa, trade ties with India: Touhid
Times of India | 21 February 2025
Kolkata: Foreign adviser to the interim Bangladesh govt, Md Touhid Hossain, on Thursday told TOI that he had taken up the issue of visas with external affairs minister S Jaishankar in Muscat on Feb 16. Hossain added that he had also spoken of Sheikh Hasina's repatriation to Bangladesh to face trial.
The foreign adviser also dubbed the reports of violence targeting minorities in Bangladesh as "untrue" and saw hope in increasing bilateral trade.
In an interview to TOI over the phone, Hossain termed India issuing fewer visas as a "headache for Bangladesh". "We have requested the Indian high commission in Dhaka to increase visas, which were suddenly reduced over security issues. This is affecting many critically ill patients, who need a visa for treatment in India. Additionally, many European countries provide visas to Bangladeshis from Delhi. But what will our citizens do if they can't reach Delhi?" he said.
"There can't be a vacuum for long, however. Many Bangladeshis are now heading for Vietnam (instead of Delhi) to get a visa (for Europe) though it is a costly process. People are also thinking of going to Islamabad, though we have no direct flight from Dhaka," Hossain said, and hinted at restoring Dhaka-Islamabad flights.
Hossain said Bangladesh remained firm on Hasina's repatriation. "During talks with S Jaishankar, the return of Sheikh Hasina was discussed. We want her back. She has been accused in serious criminal cases by Bangladesh courts, so the legal process must start per the law. She made inflammatory remarks and youths responded to that, triggering violence," he said.
"We have made our point clear to India on this. India should send her back, as her trial is linked with public sentiment," he said, adding that India should restrain Hasina from issuing "fanatic statements" that could inflame the public.
The foreign adviser denied reports that Bangladesh was witnessing a spate of violence, mainly targeting minorities. "There is a campaign in Indian media but this is untrue. I invite Indian journalists to visit and ascertain reality. Govt has control and people are safe. There is no major violence now. There was a rampage in Aug as there was no govt, no police," he said, adding it was govt's duty to protect minorities. Incidentally, Hossain's home had been vandalised in the Aug violence.
Hossain said the goal during talks in Muscat was to improve relations with India, which — he admitted — had been affected. "In Oman, we spoke on improving bilateral trade. As there was no govt in Aug, trade was affected but we have found that the (annual trade) target was achieved by Jan 2025. We are now aiming for higher targets. We are happy with the talks and have invited Jaishankar to visit Dhaka. India needs to finalise a date," he said.
Hossain said there had been progress in ties after foreign secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Dhaka in Dec, though there had been "hiccups at the border" that "would be sorted" by BSF and BGB. The recent exchange of fishermen was a signal of normalcy, he said, adding: "In Oman, we discussed improving ties in the energy sector and better cooperation in the Indian Ocean region."
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