Dhaka, August 14 — Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, has expressed concerns over recent statements made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has taken refuge in India. The adviser indicated that these remarks are not conducive to the relationship between the two countries and could potentially strain diplomatic ties.

During a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, following a meeting with several foreign ambassadors, Adviser Touhid Hossain disclosed that the issue had been raised with India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Prannoy Verma. "If the former Prime Minister makes statements while in India, it will not aid in fostering the relationship between our two nations," Hossain stated, underscoring that such actions might hinder the friendly relations both countries have been trying to maintain.

Touhid Hossain emphasized that the government's position had been clearly communicated to the Indian High Commissioner, although he acknowledged that Verma could not respond definitively without consulting higher authorities. "He will report this to his headquarters as soon as possible," Hossain added.

In his discussions, Hossain also addressed other significant bilateral issues, including the long-standing border tensions and the equitable distribution of the Teesta River's waters, urging India to ensure fairness in these matters. He further highlighted the positive perception of China among the Bangladeshi public and indicated that the current government has no political ambitions, focusing instead on governance reforms and anti-corruption measures.

Responding to questions about the role of the Indian media, Hossain expressed concerns that certain media outlets were exaggerating incidents in Bangladesh, creating unnecessary tensions. He reassured that the interim government is committed to maintaining peace and protecting all communities within the country.

Touhid Hossain also mentioned that foreign diplomats had been briefed on the reasons behind the establishment of the interim government, although the exact roadmap for future actions remains unclear. He reiterated that the government is determined to address the anarchy and corruption that have plagued the economic sector.

The meeting was attended by Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, Saudi Arabian Ambassador Isa Bin Yusuf Al Duhailan, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, and the European Union's Charge d'Affaires, among others. The discussions aimed at clarifying the interim government's stance on various issues and reassuring international partners of its commitment to stability and reform.