India wants to build constructive ties with Dhaka, can’t be reduced to single agenda: Indian HC

Dhaka, Dec 3 (Agency) Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday said New Delhi really wants to build a constant, stable, and constructive relationship with Bangladesh. Talking to reporters briefly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, he said they were interested in working with Bangladesh to fulfil their shared aspirations in the field of peace, security, and development. He highlighted the broad and multifaceted relationship between the countries, and said that it cannot be reduced to a single issue or agenda. He was talking to reporters after meeting Acting Foreign Secretary Reaz Hamidullah at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Verma was summoned to the MOFA following the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala on Monday. According to reports, seven people have been arrested and three police officers were also suspended after a mob stormed the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, vandalizing the premises and forcibly removing the Bangladeshi national flag.

“We have a wide ranging and multifaceted relationship and you cannot reduce it to one issue or one agenda,” the Indian high commissioner said. “We really want to build a positive, stable, constructive relationship moving forward,” he said. “There are so many things we are doing.” He said: “There are so many interdependencies we have, and we want to build on those interdependencies, mutual benefit. And we will keep ensuring that our cooperation benefits our two people.” “The number of positive developments that have taken place in our relationship in the last few months, whether it is trade, it is power transmission, supply of essential commodities, we have maintained lot of positive momentum. “We are ready to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh and are committed to working together to achieve our shared aspirations in peace, security, and development,” he added.