Dhaka, Sep 8 (V7N) – Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has expressed surprise over the recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, showing no immediate concern about potential conflicts with India.

In a media briefing at the foreign ministry on Sunday afternoon, Hossain conveyed that Singh’s comments, made on September 5, which included preparing Indian armed forces for future challenges by referencing ongoing global conflicts and the situation in Bangladesh, were unexpected. Singh’s statement highlighted conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and issues in Bangladesh.

Hossain questioned the relevance of these comparisons, noting, “I need to understand if his statement was meant for domestic consumption. The way he expressed it seemed vague. I do not see a basis for India to prepare for war concerning the Ukraine conflict, nor do I grasp how the situations with Hamas and Bangladesh are related.”

When asked if Singh’s comments might be seen as a threat to Bangladesh, Hossain replied, “I still believe his statement was likely intended for domestic purposes. I am not ready to make any assumptions yet. We will keep an eye on the situation.”

Regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s potential political asylum in India, Hossain stated, “Any country can grant political asylum as it deems appropriate. We will observe whether this happens.”

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