Bangladesh has firmly rejected India’s advice on the country’s forthcoming general election, with Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain asserting that the nation does not seek guidance from its neighbour.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday afternoon, Touhid Hossain said, “We do not need advice on how elections in Bangladesh should be conducted. We are moving towards a good election, and at this moment, there is no need for anyone to give us counsel.”

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, was summoned to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, prompting questions about the discussion. Responding, Touhid Hossain stated, “The latest statement from India was essentially advice. I do not think such advice is necessary. Bangladesh does not seek counsel from its neighbours regarding our elections.”

He added, “From day one, this government has made it clear that we aim for an ‘extremely high-quality’ election environment, enabling people to vote freely—an environment that has been absent over the past 15 years. India is giving advice on this, which I find entirely unacceptable. They know that during the previous 15 years, their relations with the government then were very cordial, and at that time, the elections were largely farcical. India did not utter a word then. Now, as we move towards a proper election, there is no need for their advice.”

Touhid Hossain further emphasised, “We will conduct an election where people can vote freely. Those who win will be chosen by the voters—something that did not happen in the past 15 years.”

While the European Union and other countries and organisations have also commented on the upcoming elections, the adviser distinguished these interactions from India’s, stating, “The situation is not the same. We maintain regular communication with them, and they are in touch with the Election Commission. We want them to send their observers.”

Addressing India’s position directly, he said, “It is not acceptable for them to issue a statement implying our position is not valid and to dictate how the election should take place. We cannot accept such advice, particularly as this sentiment was absent over the past 15 years. Why they have suddenly chosen to impose it now is unclear.”