Dhaka's Relations with Delhi, Beijing Must Not Be Compared: FM

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said on Saturday that Bangladesh's relations with India and China should not be linked, as Bangladesh emphasizes its growth through collaboration and cooperation.

"Bangladesh's relations with India is rock-solid and historic while Bangladesh has economic ties with China. We must not compare," he said emphasising on joint efforts.

Dr. Momen made remarks after visiting the Mujibnagar Mukhtijuddha Memorial Complex, where he paid tribute to the wreath.

Foreign Minister Selina Momen 's wife, among others, was present.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs does not want to put something into Bangladesh's ties between India and China that claims it has nothing to do with Bangladesh.

Bangladesh focuses on its own development, Dr. Momen said, adding that both India and China are Bangladesh 's key trading partners, and Bangladesh wants more trade benefits from India.

"Our victory means the victory of India. Our success means the progress of India," he said, explaining very close ties between Dhaka and Delhi, and nothing will cause problems in-relations.

Unresolved Issues

The Foreign Minister said that Bangladesh and India have resolved major bilateral issues, that progress has been made on water sharing issues and that other outstanding issues will also be resolved.

"There are some issues. We 're going to solve them. Keep faith in us," he said.

Asked regarding the coronavirus vaccine trial in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister said that several nations, such as India and Pakistan, are pursuing collaboration.

"We haven't gone to work together yet. It's a shame. We should always go to work together," Dr. Momen said.

He said a Chinese company is developing a relationship with the icddr,b which is an institution of 28 countries.

"We have nothing to do with it. Some are trying to make it a political issue. This is purely a research," Dr Momen said the government will think of it.

The Foreign Minister suggested to talk to the Health Ministry for details.

He said that the government has contributed to the European Union to ensure that Bangladesh receives the vaccine smoothly.

Dr. Momen said that the vaccine should be distributed in a non-discriminating manner and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that she needs to make sure that no one is left behind.

The Foreign Minister reiterated that the government is working to bring back convicted killers of Bangabandhu, at least one more in this Mujib Barsho, to execute them to implement the court verdict.

"It's our hope," he said adding that one of the killers was executed recently.

The fugitives are: Col Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Lt Col (relieved) Shariful Haque Dalim, Maj (retd) Noor Chowdhury, Maj (retd) Rashed Chowdhury and Risaldar Moslehuddin Khan. Capt Abdul Majed has been hanged recently.

The Foreign Minister also sought support from Bangladeshi expatriates living in different countries alongside the government initiative to bring back the remaining five fugitives convicted of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman 's father and to execute the verdict.

One of them is in the United States, and another is in Canada, he said.

On 19 November 2009, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence of 12 retired military officers accused of the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members.

Of the fugitives, the government knew the location of Noor Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury, and Moslehuddin, although it was not aware of the other three fugitives — Rashid and Dalim.