Foreign Adviser Slams Indian Media

Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain has stated that the Indian media has been aggressively focused on Bangladesh, and that its role is not at all helpful for establishing normal relations between the two countries. He questioned why they were doing this, suggesting that the Indian media would know better.

He made these remarks on Saturday (November 30) during a seminar titled “Bangladesh-India Relations: Expectations, Obstacles, and the Future” at North South University.

The Foreign Adviser added that he believes there is a need for Bangladesh’s media to play a role in addressing this. He clarified that he was not suggesting that Bangladesh should simply follow the Indian media, but rather that the falsehoods being spread by the Indian media should be brought to light. He noted that it is now possible to verify the truth, and that the Indian media has been making unsubstantiated claims. He emphasized that these false statements should be strongly raised by Bangladesh's media. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement, it should appear on the front page, not on the inside pages, he stressed.

He further mentioned that relations between countries are not built in a day, and they will not always be the same. However, he expressed hope that Bangladesh and India could establish a good relationship that would protect the interests of both countries. The most important thing, he said, is that the relationship should serve the interests of both nations without favoring one side over the other. He also pointed out some existing issues, such as water-sharing, particularly regarding the Teesta river, where no progress has been made. He expressed a desire for progress on this matter and reiterated that he has always stated that border killings are unacceptable. "This is not a war zone, yet people are shot at the border," he said, adding that such practices do not exist anywhere else in the world. He urged India to address this issue, calling it a significant obstacle that could easily be overcome. "There is no need to shoot people. If a crime is committed, arrest the person and judge them under the law of the respective country," he said.

The Foreign Adviser also highlighted the importance of national unity, stating that when it comes to national interests, there must be unity. He encouraged people to think about whether Bangladesh is organizing itself to prevent others from exerting influence over it.

In discussing Bangladesh's relations with other countries, Touhid Hossain concluded by stating that Bangladesh seeks relationships where mutual interests are safeguarded.