State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visits to India and Japan have not yet been finalised, as their timing would depend on his schedule and progress in bilateral discussions.
“The government is positive about visits to all countries. But it will depend on the Prime Minister’s schedule and on how far discussions between the two countries progress,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here this afternoon.
Asked whether the Prime Minister would attend the upcoming BRICS Summit's outreach session in India or undertake a bilateral visit, Shama Obaed said there was still sufficient time to make a decision.
“BRICS is still a long way off. A lot can happen in a month,” she said.
The state minister said the Prime Minister remains occupied with important domestic engagements, including upcoming constitutional activities.
Bangladesh has a presidential election ahead while parliament is also set to resume its session, she said.
“We have many programmes and activities going on internally in the country. A number of constitutional matters are also ahead. From that perspective, the government is busy and the Prime Minister is also busy,” she said.
Shama Obaed, however, said the government remained positive about the Prime Minister's foreign engagements.
“If everything falls into place, then of course there will be a visit to India, a visit to Japan, and visits to other countries,” she said.
Asked specifically about the proposed Japan visit, she said its date and time has not yet been decided and would be fixed at a mutually convenient time for the two countries.
Responding to a question on whether a possible visit to India could help address issues in Bangladesh-India relations, Shama Obaed said direct engagement between the leaders of the two countries could create opportunities to resolve outstanding matters.
“Whenever the leaders of the two countries talk and hold bilateral discussions, there is an opportunity to resolve many problems. That opportunity certainly exists and remains open,” she said.
The state minister said India should also make proper use of such an opportunity.
Referring to remarks made from Indian territory by convicted deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, she said Dhaka had already made its position clear on the matter.
“We have already said that when a convicted person speaks while sitting on Indian soil, the people of Bangladesh do not accept it and will not take it positively,” she said.
Shama said the events of July remained fresh in the minds of the Bangladeshi people and called for sensitivity to public sentiment.
“July is still alive in people's minds. The bloodstains have not yet dried. Therefore, we must certainly be sensitive from that perspective,” she said.
She nevertheless reiterated that direct engagement at the highest political level could contribute significantly to resolving bilateral issues.