Bangladesh has debunked claims that it is warming up to Pakistan in its diplomatic relations and moving closer to China. In a discussion carried out on a private TV channel in Bangladesh on Sunday, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen asked Pakistan to accept the responsibility for carrying out genocide in Bangladesh in its pre-liberation days if it wants the ties between the two countries to improve. He said that the genocide before liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 was still a painful memory for people of Bangladesh.
Recalling the close ties with India, Dr. Momen recalled the history of the liberation war of Bangladesh in which India played a crucial role. He said in those days, the chant of ‘Joy Bangla’ by freedom fighters of Bangladesh who had taken shelter in India was enough to get them all the logistical and other support required. He said that the deep relationship between Bangladesh and India can’t be forgotten at any cost at any point of time.
The historic relationship forged during those days has now reached its golden period-Sonali Adhyay-under the leadership of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said Bangladesh believed in maintaining cordial relations with all as envisaged by its founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On the Rohingya issue Dr. Momen said that Bangladesh was under an impression that some of the displaced Rohingya people might also take refuge in China, as the latter maintains a very close relationship with Myanmar. But that did not happen as the Rohingya refugees took refuge on Bangladesh soil. He expressed the apprehension that prolonged stay of the Rohingyas could give rise to radicalisation due to which Bangladesh wants their return to Myanmar as soon as possible.