"Bangladesh is most definitely not turning into a one-party state. We preserve democratic ideals."

Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the foreign minister of Bangladesh, said on Thursday that his country is not turning into a one-party state.

"Bangladesh is most definitely not turning into a one-party state. We preserve democratic ideals. A multiparty democracy exists in Bangladesh," he declared.

During an interactive session organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, the Foreign Minister made these comments in response to a query.

He said that some BNP-Jamaat-led coalition leaders "cannot contribute to democracy" and that they would want to transform Bangladesh "into Afghanistan."

According to the foreign minister, the BNP-Jamaat combination has attempted to obstruct democracy on several occasions, including this one. "Yet they have also failed this year and in the past. They did not succeed," he continued.

Hasan claimed that despite obstacles, Bangladesh's democracy is improving daily.

He said that relations between the US and Bangladesh are friendly and that he was eager to push them further.

Regarding the circumstances in Myanmar, the Foreign Minister advised collaboration.

Responding to a question on inequality, he said data shows inequality is reducing in Bangladesh.

Mahmud is on his first bilateral visit to New Delhi at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar.

Describing the current state of relations between Bangladesh and India as a "golden chapter," he said the two sides are now giving highest priority to three aspects — enhancing mutual trust and confidence, promoting connectivity and ensuring all around economic cooperation.

"We are going through a golden chapter of our relationship. India-Bangladesh relationship is now a role model for the neighbourhood and democracy today," he said at the Vivekananda International Foundation, at a separate event.

international Minister Hasan said that in order to defeat local and international plots against the country's democratic movement, India stands with Bangladesh and would continue to do so.

According to him, the two countries' bilateral ties have recently reached unprecedented heights.

He continued, saying that both nations will cooperate to advance it.

Among those in attendance were Dr. Arvind Gupta, the Foundation's director, Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh's high commissioner to India, and Veena Sikri, the previous Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh.

End//voice7news.tv