India on Monday said it is the government and people of Bangladesh who will decide what sorts of a society they want.
“It’s for the government and people of Bangladesh to determine what sorts of a society they want and what the issues they face,” Spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin told reporters at a press conference in New Delhi.
The official came up with the remark when a reporter wanted to know whether India is playing any role or will have idea to play role in the future as BNP leaders are seeking India’s support for what they said restoring democracy in Bangladesh, according to the website of Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
He said it is not for India to venture into internal affairs of Bangladesh reminding the reporters about India’s consistent policy towards a friendly neighbour like Bangladesh. ”We desire peaceful, stable and secure Bangladesh.”
Akbaruddin, however, said it is for the government and people of Bangladesh to decide how they want to go about it (Bangladesh’s internal affairs).
He said the government of India only wishes the best for the government and people of Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, The Times of India reported that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) sought New Delhi’s help to ‘restore democracy’ in Bangladesh.
“Failure of democracy in Bangladesh will push it towards extremism, which will have serious security implications for India,” senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan was quoted as saying over phone.
He said India, as a neighbour and friendly country, should stand by the people of Bangladesh to ‘restore’ democracy.
“India is a mature democracy and Bangladesh also aspires to be a truly democratic country. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of democracy,” Khan was quoted in the report.
-UNB
