Foreign Adviser blames 'system' for visa denials to Bangladeshis

The interim government's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Tawhid Hossain, has remarked that the responsibility for Bangladeshis not getting visas lies not with him as the Foreign Affairs Adviser or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but with the entire country's "system".

Speaking at an exchange of views with journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, February 5, he said, "As the Foreign Affairs Adviser, I am not willing to accept this responsibility. It is the country's responsibility, the entire system's responsibility. Not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs', nor mine personally."

Explaining his statement, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said there is no lack of opportunities worldwide. But due to our own faults, we are unable to utilise those opportunities. "We are fully responsible for not getting visas. The Chief Adviser himself has said we are absolutely the best at fraud. When you commit fraud, why would anyone believe your documents?"

He said everything, whether visas or admission abroad, depends on documents. It is our responsibility to build credibility through documents. Yet it is seen that a woman is going abroad for a domestic worker's job, but her visa says 'Front Office Manager'. This shows the extent of deception we have practiced.

The Foreign Affairs Adviser added that as long as we cannot set our own house in order, this problem will not be solved. Rather, even more difficult times may lie ahead.

Regarding Bangladesh-India relations, Tawhid Hossain said there is no doubt that Bangladesh's relationship with India is important. "We wanted a good working relationship with them. However, he cannot claim that it has been entirely successful."

He said the current state of relations between the two countries is largely stagnant. Not wanting to blame anyone, he added that India has looked after its interests, and we have looked after ours. Differences in the perception of interests between the two sides have made it impossible to move forward in many areas.

Acknowledging that India-Bangladesh relations have not been very smooth during the interim government's tenure, the Foreign Affairs Adviser expressed hope that the next government will make this relationship smoother and more effective.

Responding to journalists' questions on whether the various agreements being signed with different countries by the interim government before its departure will become a burden for the next government, he said he thinks the opposite.

In his words, "We are pushing forward many issues so that it becomes easier for the next government to work."