Bangladesh Seeks Stronger People-to-People Ties with India and Revival of SAARC

Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain emphasized the need for stronger people-to-people ties with India, acknowledging the previous lack during Sheikh Hasina's regime. He highlighted the potential of BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC but stressed it cannot replace SAARC until peace in Myanmar is restored. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus aims to revitalize SAARC, which has been inactive since 2016 due to regional tensions.

Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain stated on Monday that the interim government aspires to foster stronger people-to-people ties with India, highlighting a deficiency in this area during Sheikh Hasina's previous regime.

Hossain remarked, 'It's possible to ease public dissatisfaction towards India. Correct bilateral steps are necessary to address this.' Despite the 'golden chapter' of Bangladesh-India relations at the governmental level, this sentiment hasn't reached the general populace, reported the state-owned BSS news agency.

Criticizing Indian media for exaggerating narratives post-student revolution, Hossain mentioned hopes for BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC but noted it can't be fully effective until peace is restored in Myanmar. Additionally, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is keen on revitalizing the SAARC forum, which has been inactive since 2016 due to regional tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)