Says Shama Obaed
'India must decide whether it will stand alongside fascism'
Photo: Agamir Somoy
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said that it is the expectation of both the government and the people that Bangladesh-India relations should improve. However, if convicted autocrats and Awami League leaders operating from Indian soil continue conspiratorial activities and the Indian government does not stop them, it is natural for anxiety to arise among the people of Bangladesh. She said India must decide whether or not they will support fascism.
She made these remarks on Thursday while responding to various questions from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response to a question about the future of Bangladesh-India relations following Sheikh Hasina's recent statements, the State Minister said that the government has already issued an official statement on the matter and has conveyed Bangladesh's concerns to India via diplomatic correspondence. The same message had been delivered multiple times previously.
She pointed out that cooperation and dialogue between the two countries must continue on many important issues, including energy, water-sharing, and border security matters. However, the decision on whether Sheikh Hasina's activities will be allowed to continue must be made by the Indian government.
When asked whether cooperation would continue despite the diplomatic strains with India, Shama Obaed said that government-to-government relations are multidimensional. Cooperation on other issues cannot be stalled because of one particular issue. Discussions will continue on energy, water-sharing, borders, and other various matters.
However, India needs to be more sensitive regarding activities that hurt the feelings of the families of July martyrs, injured freedom fighters, and the people of Bangladesh. Criticizing the banned Awami League's recent "militancy", the junior minister claimed that the party is still trying to push forward the narrative of militancy for political purposes, just as it did in the past. When allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations came up during their time in power, the Awami League would try to obscure them by raising the issue of militancy. They are following the same tactics even while staying abroad.
Shama further said that Bangladesh currently has a government and an opposition party elected by people's votes. Therefore, there is no scope to raise questions about militancy in the country. The Awami League is carrying out these campaigns with the aim of attracting international attention. Criticizing the Awami League's statements on human rights, Shama Obaed said that human rights and democracy sound highly ironic coming from the Awami League.
She raised the issues of the enforced disappearance of Ilias Ali and countless others, extrajudicial killings, and the firing from helicopters on people during July-August (2024), and questioned where human rights were at that time.
She stated that the people of Bangladesh are united regardless of party, religion, or caste. They will not accept the repetition of the fascist rule of the past 17–18 years in any way.
Regarding the Prime Minister's participation in the BRICS summit, the State Minister said that Bangladesh is eager to actively participate in multilateral platforms. However, whether the Prime Minister will attend the summit will depend on his schedule and time availability.
On the response to Bangladesh's diplomatic message sent to India, she said that Bangladesh has sent an official message. Now, they must wait for India's response.
