Elections have been completed in Bangladesh. With the ruling Awami League’s landslide victory, Hasina has become Prime Minister for the fourth consecutive time.
After the landslide victory, Sheikh Hasina recalled close ties with India.
He has described India as a reliable friend. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, meanwhile, has assured India that his country will never fall prey to China’s tricks and will never bow down.
In an interview with India Today, Momen also said that democracy is very stable in Bangladesh.
He said, “You have seen the elections. 12 crore people have voted in this. It was a real and very competitive election. Democracy is working in Bangladesh. We are one of the pioneers of democracy in the world. We have established this by setting the example of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
What did the Foreign Minister say on India-Bangladesh relations?
He said, our relationship is already very strong. This is not just about today. At the time of our birth, India was the biggest helper during the freedom struggle.
Like us, they have shed blood for freedom. In recent years, under the leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have developed very good coordination and relations. PM Modi has called it a golden chapter and we want to move forward on this.
We will move forward to strengthen relations between India and Bangladesh and all other neighbours.
What is the opinion of Bangladesh Foreign Minister regarding China?
China does not have much influence in Bangladesh. China is a development partner. They are helping us in some of our projects.
China is working here either as a contractor or as an expert. If you see how much money we have received from China, it is less than 1 percent of the GDP.
Regarding the loan received from China, he said that a country can be in debt to another country if its foreign debt is more than 55 percent.
Our total borrowing is only 13.6 percent. The fear in India is not real. China is a friend and development partner. We are very judicious in receiving any assistance or funds. Therefore, people should not fear that Bangladesh will succumb to the Chinese.
His opinion on CAA?
The Foreign Minister said, “India has a strong and mature government. Their leadership is mature and they have inherited strong values and traditions. India will not do anything that hurts Indian values and principles. So we are not worried about it.
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