Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement calling on the Indian government to shut down offices of the banned political party Awami League on Indian soil.
In its statement released Wednesday, the ministry said the government had received information that offices of the Awami League have been set up in Delhi and Kolkata.
It also alleged that Awami League leaders are conducting anti-Bangladesh activities from India.
The statement further noted that in July, under the guise of activities by a so-called NGO, Awami League leaders organised a programme at the Delhi Press Club where they distributed booklets to journalists.
The ministry warned that if the banned party’s leaders continue to operate from India, it could damage bilateral relations and pose a threat to Bangladesh’s current political situation.
The statement also cautioned that such activities may spark public outrage inside Bangladesh.
Considering these concerns, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the Indian government to take measures to ensure that no Bangladeshi citizens are allowed to conduct anti-Bangladesh activities from Indian territory.
India’s reply
In response to media queries on the statement issued by the interim government of Bangladesh, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law.
“The (Indian) government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil,” he said.
He claimed that the “press statement by the interim government of Bangladesh is thus misplaced”.
“India reiterates its expectation that free, fair and inclusive elections will be held at the earliest in Bangladesh to ascertain the will and mandate of the people,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
