Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said he told the Indian government that Bangladesh would be happy if India helps our country in maintaining stability, noting that Pime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants stability and communal harmony in the country.
“So, stability is the most important factor. We want stability in this region too. If we can do this, it will be meaningful in this golden chapter of our relations,” he told reporters explaining what he wanted to say at a programme in Chittagong on Thursday night.
Earlier, he offered munajat and paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara.
Foreign Minister Momen said he conveyed that there are some wicked people in both countries – Bangladesh and India – who make instigative remarks and they instigate to turn minor things into big ones.
“Both the governments have a responsibility to stop this. If we can do that, there will be communal harmony and there will be no uncertainty,” he said.
Responding to a question, Momen said Bangladesh is witnessing development amid communal harmony as Sheikh Hasina is in power.
“It’s good for everyone if a non-communal social system gets established. In Bangladesh, all the citizens have equal rights,” he added.
The minister said Bangladesh gets stability when Prime Minister Hasina remains there ( in power). “The development journey remains uninterrupted when there is stability.”
The foreign minister said he referred to what the Assam chief minister told him.
He said there are no terrorist activities in Assam and surrounding areas and they are seeing growing development with increased investment in Assam and PM Sheikh Hasina’s efforts were credited.
“I conveyed to the Indian government that your chief minister said there is stability as PM Sheikh Hasina is there. It benefits both sides,” Momen added.
On Thursday, the minister said he requested the Indian government to do whatever was necessary to help Bangladesh maintain stability and harmony.
"When I went to India, I told the Indian government that Sheikh Hasina must be sustained. Bangladesh will continue to march towards development and will truly become a country free of communalism under her leadership," he remarked.
Speaking as the chief guest at a Janmashtami, one of the biggest festivals programme in Chittagong, Momen also said: "If someone takes the country to the path of instability to shake Sheikh Hasina's government, then it is a danger for everyone. We want stability.”
The foreign minister said he told the Indian government that the two countries will work in such a way that neither side promotes instigative behaviours to maintain law and order and stability.
“If we can do that, it’s good for both Bangladesh and India,” Minister Momen said, adding that, India does not need to face extra expenditure in its border areas as PM Hasina is there in power.
He said that thousands of people from Bangladesh visit India every year and many Indians work in Bangladesh as there is development in Bangladesh.
“This has been possible as the two countries are going through a golden chapter.”
For that reason, Foreign Minister Momen said he requested the Indian government to continue supporting PM Sheikh Hasina as she brings peace that benefits the two countries.
