Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar has said that if one border killing takes place along the border of the two counties, that is unfortunate.
He said that the aim of both countries should be to ensure that no criminal activities take place along the border and that there is no killing.
He was responding to newspersons at a joint press briefing Thursday afternoon at the state guest house Padma.
Earlier, he had held a meeting with foreign minister AK Abdul Momen at Padma.
Advertisement
When asked why, despite close ties between the two countries, Bangladeshis were still being killed on the border, Jaishankar replied that these killings took place within Indian territory.
He said, "We have discussed this issue and have agreed that every killing is unfortunate. We have questioned ourselves about the root cause of these killings and the cause is criminal activities. The aim of both sides should be to ensure a crime-free border so that there are no killings. I think both sides together can resolve the problem."
He said there were several objectives to his visit. Bangladesh was commemorating the Mujib Borsho and also its golden jubilee of independence. As Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and well–wisher, he was happy to be able to come here. He said that everyone was facing difficulties due to Covid. Partnership with Bangladesh is important for us in order to overcome the health difficulties. He said Bangladesh received the highest number of vaccines, that is 9 million, from India.
"Also, he said, I am here concerning prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit. This will be his first trip since the outbreak of Covid and his second visit to Bangladesh," the Indian foreign minster said.
Relations between Bangladesh and India are evolving, he said, and that was why, as foreign ministers, they had discussed various aspects of the relations. They had also discussed unresolved issues.
“We have also reviewed recent developments between the two countries,” he said.
Jaishankar said he saw ample possibilities of Bangladesh-India economic relations, connectivity and people-to-people contact.
When asked about sharing waters of common river, the India foreign minister said there was no change in the position of the Indian government in this regard. The matter has been discussed and secretary-level meetings will be held shortly.
