During his inaugural visit to Bharat after assuming the post of Foreign Minister of Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s recent victory in the General Elections, Dr Hasan Mahmud addressed concerns about the Rohingya issue, characterising it as a security challenge for the country. Additionally, he expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Here is the interview based on the interaction with media persons in Delhi recently. Our Special Correspondent Nishant Kumar Azad represented Organiser in the interaction. Excerpts:
What were the key points that were discussed with your Indian counterpart?
Currently, we have given utmost priority to three areas — security, promoting connectivity and all-round economic cooperation.
It seems there are some anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh currently, like the ‘India Out’ campaign that was embarrassingly highlighted in Maldives. How do you view this?
Earlier, anti-India sentiments used to work in Bangladesh during the elections. Now, this does not work. Such slogans were used by Bangladesh Nationalist Paty (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami during the election. But it has become ineffective and such sentiments have been diminishing.
How is the Hasina Government planning to deal with the Rohingya issue? Has the Bangladeshi Government discussed with the UNHCR about not allowing more Rohingya refugees coming from Myanmar?
We have raised this issue several times and even filed a case at the International Criminal Court of Justice. This is a burden for Bangladesh, though we have given refuge to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees. They are creating environmental and security problems as well as difficulties for Bangladesh. The local people have become a minority there because the number of Rohingyas there is double than that of the locals. We have raised this issue with Myanmar for seven years now and persuaded it to take back these refugees with full dignity and honour, but they are adopting delay tactics.
I had the opportunity to meet with the Myanmar Foreign Ministry in Kampala. I have asked him to reinitiate the repatriation of the refugees. I believe in sending these people back to Myanmar, but the present situation in Myanmar is obstructing the process. And in this respect, we appreciate the assistance and cooperation from the Indian side.
What is your assessment of the ongoing conflict in Myanmar?
The escalating conflict between Myanmar’s military and ethnic armed organisations (EAO) is a matter of concern for both India and Bangladesh, as both countries share borders with Myanmar. The situation is getting worse day by day. Many people, mostly border security guards of Myanmar and Army personnel, have entered Bangladesh through the border along Chittagong and Rakhine. We have given them shelter. We are in consultation with them so that they can take them back. Our Ambassador in Myanmar has met with the Foreign Minister, and they have agreed to take them back. How they will take them back — by ship or by air — that is a question. We discussed this issue with the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval because regional peace and security is important.
The Indian Government has said it will fence the whole of the 1,643-km boundary with Myanmar. How do you view this move to fence the Indo-Myanmar border?
Fencing the Myanmar border will be good for both India and the region. There is always insurgency from Myanmar, and in recent weeks, hundreds of people have fled from Myanmar to India and Bangladesh so far. I think that’s why the Indian Government has considered this move. I believe it is a good decision.
There has been a significant upswing in India-Bangladesh strategic relations. What has been the progress in the expansion of defence cooperation?
We do have a defence purchase agreement with India, which has offered a US $ 500 million Line of Credit (LoC) for the best corporation, and we have been utilising this. We had a discussion on this issue also during the meeting. I cannot answer other technical issues, but we are well through the discussion.
What is your take on the rising religious fanaticism and decline of minorities in Bangladesh? How is your Government tackling these issues?
Our party, Awami League, is a secular party and secularism is one of its main pillars. That’s why 98 per cent of religious minorities in Bangladesh voted for our party. But at the same time, it is also true that there are fanatic forces in Bangladesh. On different occasions, they create problems and try to destabilise society. But our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has taken firm action against them. If you look at the festivities in Bangladesh, you will find one Durga Puja mandap for less than 300 people. In West Bengal, you get one mandap for 1000 people, but in Bangladesh, for less than 300 people, there is one Puja mandap. Why? It is because people have money and joyfulness in their minds, and the Government is giving protection. And I disagree with the declining minority percentage. It is true that in 1970, some people migrated from Bangladesh to India and stayed back here. But both minority and Muslim communities are on the increase in Bangladesh.
The Ganges Water Treaty is up for renewal in 2026. Have you started having talks on this treaty? Also, tell us about the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) of Sundarbans.
We share Sundarbans as 6000 sq. km in Bangladesh and 4000 sq. km in India and the animals tend to cross the border. A lot of ecology is at stake because tigers, deers, and other wild animals don’t follow political borders, and they do cross borders to breed. So, this is a very good issue for cooperation. I shall talk to the Environment Minister, and I shall look at the status, and we shall go forward. On the Ganga Treaty, I discussed the issue with Minister S Jaishankar. We shall have further talks on this issue.
During the Bangladesh elections, America had put pressure on the Sheikh Hasina Government. How do you see the Bangladesh-US relations going forward?
We are looking forward to strengthening the relationship between Bangladesh and the US. The letter of US President Joe Biden has given us the strength to bring our relationship to a new height. We have been enjoying good relationship. The US has been a profound development partner of Bangladesh for more than the last 50 years, and we have shared strong diplomatic ties.
