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OT: India to work with Bangladeshi Government

Bangladesh polls evoke interest, says Ahamed Haroon Habib

Stable Bangladesh is in the interest of not only India but of the region.

We will work with any chosen government It is in mutual interest to curb extremist beliefs

DHAKA: India will work with any government the people of Bangladesh elect in the January 2007 elections, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said on Tuesday.

Mr. Ahamed, who is here to attend the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting, was speaking at a luncheon meeting hosted by India-Bangladesh friendship organisations.

"There is already an intense debate in Bangladesh on the coming election. I must admit that there is also a keen interest in India... We hope that the next general election will be truly free and fair." A stable, secular and democratic Bangladesh was in the interest of not only India but of the region.

India attached the highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh. "This sentiment is shared by all, cutting across party lines."

On terrorism, Mr. Ahamed said it posed the greatest danger to the peaceful and stable existence of nation-states in the world. "We believe Bangladesh should and can set an example to others. It is in our mutual interest to cooperate and work to curb the rise of fundamentalist and extremist beliefs."

Differences natural


On disputes between India and Bangladesh over outstanding issues, he said as neighbours it was natural that differences arose and these could be resolved only through dialogue and understanding. "Once we are committed to working together meaningfully, we can hope to work for resolution of complex issues."

Prof. A.K. Azad Chowdhury, president, Bangladesh Bharat Maitri Samiti; Justice K.M. Sobhan, president, Bangladesh Bharat Sampriti Parishad;

Maj. Gen (retd.). K.M. Shafiullah, convener, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Kalyan Foundation, and Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri were present.