Efforts on to keep relations normal with India: Finance Adviser

Finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said that Bangladesh’s relations with India are not in a very bad state and that the government is trying to ensure they do not become abnormal. He said Bangladesh does not want strained relations with any neighbouring country.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while responding to journalists after a meeting of the advisory council committee on government procurement at the Secretariat. He also said the meeting approved a proposal to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from India.

The finance adviser said India does not directly interfere in Bangladesh’s politics. He noted that sometimes both countries make certain statements, but the chief adviser believes in regional cooperation. As a major neighbour, India plays an important role in Bangladesh’s economy, healthcare and other sectors. He added that Bangladesh maintains good relations with Bhutan and Nepal and that ties with Pakistan are also gradually improving.

Salehuddin Ahmed said trade and politics should be viewed separately. Bangladesh’s economic relations with India are normal, and the government is working to normalise political relations as well. He noted that importing rice from Vietnam instead of India would cost an additional Tk 10 per kilogramme, and if rice is available from India at a competitive price, there is no need to import from elsewhere.

Saying political relations with India are in a reasonable state, he added that ties are unlikely to deteriorate significantly. As evidence, he cited previous rice imports from India and the recent decision to import onions. However, he acknowledged that the onion import decision came slightly late, preventing prices from falling further in the domestic market, despite onion prices in India being less than Tk 10 per kilogramme.

Asked what steps the interim government is taking to improve political relations with India until the national election is held, the finance adviser said the chief adviser is aware of the matter and details will be known soon, though he could not elaborate at this moment.

Responding to a question on anti-India propaganda within the country, he said such activities complicate the situation and do not reflect Bangladesh’s national sentiment. He added that Bangladesh does not want such relations with any country.

On government action to stop such activities, he said it is not possible to halt everything completely and that stopping sudden remarks immediately is not always easy.