Bangladesh maintains unique relations with every country: Shama Obaid

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has said that every country's relations with Bangladesh are 'unique'. She made the comment in response to a question about a recent comment by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson regarding India's concerns over the Teesta project.

A journalist at the Foreign Ministry asked the State Minister what Bangladesh's reaction was to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's statement that no third party has the right to interfere in the Bangladesh-China relationship on Wednesday.

In response, Shama Obaid said that Bangladesh's relations with every country are unique, and that it will have relations with China as well as with all countries. She does not think that if relations with one country are good, relations with another country will be bad. She said that the government's goal is to ensure the country's interests by maintaining good relations with all countries.

In response to another question, the State Minister described the Prime Minister's recent visit to China as a visit that took the relations between the two countries to a new height. He said that the government expects Chinese investment to increase further and new investments to come in after this visit. He said that the government is also reviewing the proposals of the 'Two Plus Two' meeting and the economic corridor made by the Chinese government.

Stating that these proposals will be implemented only if the interests of the people of Bangladesh are protected, the State Minister said that the process is still ongoing and the government will take it into consideration only if it is beneficial for the country or its people.

Referring to the discussion on the 'Two Plus Two' mechanism in the meeting of Tarique Rahman with the Chinese President and Prime Minister, she said that the government has taken this proposal into consideration and if necessary, further discussions will be held on it later.

Beijing has assured its support to take forward the feasibility study of the Teesta project, and the State Minister said that it will be taken forward from where the study was stopped earlier. Stating that the study is not yet complete, she said that there has been no progress in it at any time before or after the start of the interim government. They visited China four months after the government took office and the study that was stopped after the visit will be taken forward again, she said.

The State Minister also mentioned that China has agreed to provide the necessary technical assistance for the survey. She said that China has also shown interest in assisting in the problems of river management across the country outside Teesta through a feasibility study.

In response to a question about the Bangladesh-China Economic Corridor via Myanmar, the State Minister said that the government is welcoming this proposal and reviewing it.

Commenting that trade and economy will expand further if communication is easier, she said that the relevant ministries will analyze and decide whether there are any complications or problems in this regard.

The process of bringing back Sheikh Hasina is still ongoing
The State Minister said that there is no new progress in the process of bringing back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity in the July coup.

When a journalist asked about the progress of the process, Shama Obaid said that there is no new information and the process is still ongoing. She commented that the people of the country also want to bring back to Bangladesh a convicted criminal who has committed so many injustices and crimes and is residing in another country to complete the trial, and said that work is underway towards that end.