India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, has remarked that the events unfolding in Bangladesh are the nation's internal matter, while also affirming India's desire for stable relations with its neighbour.
In an interview with Indian media outlet NDTV on Tuesday (17 September), Jaishankar addressed the political developments in Bangladesh.
Jaishankar stated, "Whatever happens in Bangladesh is their internal matter. Bangladesh is our neighbour, and from our side, we want to maintain stable relations with them. We have a strong commercial relationship, and our people share good relations. We wish to keep it that way."
On 5 August, Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power following massive student and public protests, after which she fled to India.
An interim government has since taken charge in Bangladesh, and Hasina has been residing in India.
However, she is reportedly seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, though her attempts have so far been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Hasina’s prolonged presence in India has posed a challenge for Delhi in building a strong relationship with Bangladesh’s interim government.
Last week, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, stated that his country also wishes to maintain good relations with India, as before, but these relations must be based on fairness and equality.
He also revealed that after assuming his role, he received a congratulatory phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
