Bangladesh wants to be the voice of the Global South at the G20 Summit, raising issues of climate change, Rohingya crisis, food and energy challenges emanating from the Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be visiting India from September 8-10 to attend the summit in New Delhi.
On the sidelines, Hasina will hold bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and the UAE, Argentinian and South Korean presidents.
"We have made significant achievements in terms of socio-economic development and women empowerment. We have been a leader in the Climate Vulnerable Forum. We want to showcase these achievements," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy today.
Asked if Bangladesh's upcoming national elections will be discussed during the meeting between Hasina and Modi, Momen said, "I don't know."
He then said Bangladesh is committed to free and fair elections.
"We will welcome it if anybody wants to extend any support or recommendations, but we will not entertain any pressure," Momen said
"We want regional stability and peace. We don't want any proxy war in this region," he said.
Momen did not respond when asked if Bangladesh will raise the Teesta water sharing agreement that has been pending since 2011, despite the final preparation, because of opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benarjee.
Bangladesh and India will sign several MoUs including those involving cooperation on agricultural research, culture, and on transactions with the taka and the rupee between Bangladesh Bank and India's NPCI Bank, Momen said.
