State minister clarifies India visa issue

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said India wants to maintain relations with Bangladesh's new government. "The Indian government has said visas will be normalised," she said.

She made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, March 31.

Shama Obaed said, "A new government has been formed. They (India) have said they want to maintain relations with Bangladesh's new government. The Indian government has said visas will be normalised. I believe the visa policy should return to its previous state to normalise business, trade, people-to-people relations, and even medical visas. They will certainly do this, and they have informed us."

Asked about halting human trafficking in Libya, the state minister said, "We want our people to go to all countries legally. The problem is we need to catch those involved in human trafficking. People will go to Libya, people will go to all countries. But the issue is that unscrupulous individuals take advantage of this."

The state minister said US permission is required to import fuel oil from Russia due to sanctions imposed on Russia. "Since Russia is under sanctions, the matter of US permission naturally arises. The energy ministry is in talks with the US on this, and discussions are also ongoing with Russia. The foreign ministry will assist if the energy ministry seeks any help in this matter."

The state minister said the country currently has sufficient fuel oil reserves, and efforts are ongoing to increase reserves further. Alternative sources are being sought as imports from some sources have been disrupted due to the war. The foreign ministry is providing necessary assistance to the energy ministry in this regard.

She said oil shipments from India and Saudi Arabia are expected next month, and oil is also expected from Malaysia and Indonesia. "We are in constant communication with the energy ministry. Efforts are being made to procure fuel from wherever opportunities arise."