Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated on Sunday that the relationship between Bangladesh and India has changed following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.
He noted that both sides need to accept this changed reality and work towards improving relations. "We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other are very important to overcome any such stalemate," he said, adding that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is arriving in Bangladesh today (December 9).
"It is not affecting only Bangladesh but also India. The traders of Kolkata are also being affected," he said at a discussion on "SAARC-People of South Asia Crave".
"We hope the standoff will be overcome," he added.
The adviser expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India would be able to overcome the kind of stalemate that the two neighbouring countries have witnessed over the last few months.
The SAARC Journalist Forum, Bangladesh Chapter, organised the event at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital today.
Addressing the event as the chief guest, Touhid Hossain said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is coming to Dhaka for Foreign Office Consultations tomorrow and will discuss issues concerning the two countries.
"If we want to solve problems, we have to admit the problem first," he said.
The foreign adviser also mentioned that the bilateral relationship since the August 5 political changeover has changed in qualitative terms.
Regarding SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh is expecting the SAARC foreign secretary-level meeting, which has been halted for the last 10 years. Following that, there should be a foreign minister-level meeting, he added.
The SAARC summit-level meeting has also been shelved for 10 years, primarily due to India-Pakistan conflicts.
"SAARC appears dead but it should not be buried," the adviser said, referring to a statement by an Indian diplomat.
He emphasised that regional cooperation is extremely important for improving trade and economy and reducing poverty in the South Asian region.
Hossain said the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) is a standing mechanism and such a meeting at the foreign secretary level is nothing abnormal.
"I hope they [foreign secretaries] will have a fruitful discussion," said the adviser, noting that it is important to acknowledge the problem as a first step towards a solution.
The adviser emphasised that the recent decline in bilateral trade is a shared challenge for both Bangladesh and India, not solely a problem for Bangladesh. He referred to the impacts on businesses in Kolkata and West Bengal.
Former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo and strategic expert Brig Gen Hasan Nasir also spoke at the seminar. Mostafa Kamal Majumder, former editor of The New Nation, delivered the keynote address.
The foreign adviser said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is very sincere about revitalising SAARC, and efforts to that end can begin with a foreign secretary-level standing committee meeting of SAARC. The convening of the SAARC Summit may be delayed, he said, noting that SAARC is still relevant.
The adviser called upon foreign journalists to disseminate the message that Bangladesh and its people advocate for the rejuvenation of SAARC. "Media have a big role to play."
"SAARC is a forgotten word. If you can revitalise it, this will give dividends to the people of the whole region," Chief Adviser Prof Yunus told Secretary General of SAARC Golam Sarwar recently.
Amid strained ties and growing criticisms from both sides on post-August 5 issues, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is coming to Bangladesh today (Monday) to hold several meetings apart from attending the foreign secretary-level talks to address mutual concerns.
