Bangladesh Foreign, Home Ministers Cancel India Trip Over CAB

Bangladesh expects that India won’t do anything that could create anxiety among the two nations, said the minister.

Students and activists participate in a protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati. 

(Photo: AP)

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday, 12 December cancelled their visits to India over the situation arising out of the passage of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

Earlier, in a statement in Dhaka, Momen said he had to cancel his trip to New Delhi due to a pressing engagement. Raveesh cited his statement to suggest that nothing much should be read into the cancellation beyond Momen’s version.

However, diplomatic sources said the cancellation took place over the situation arising because of the passage of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, reported news agency PTI.

Responding to the development, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the two countries are in the middle of a “golden period” of bilateral relations and Momen’s cancellation should not be read much into.

‘Religious Persecution Not Under Current Regime’

Clarifying the government’s stand on “religious persecution” in Bangladesh, the spokesperson said that no such action took place under the current regime in the neighbouring country and that it has “taken steps to ensure minorities’ rights”.

Meanwhile, in an interview to the Dhaka Tribune, Momen rejected Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the condition of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

“There are a very few countries in the world where communal harmony is as good as in Bangladesh. We have no minorities. We are all equal. If he (Amit Shah) stayed in Bangladesh for a few months, he would see the exemplary communal harmony in our country,” he said.

“They have many problems within their country. Let them fight among themselves. That does not bother us. As a friendly country, we hope that India will not do something that affects our friendly relationship,” he added.

MEA Non-Committal on Abe Visit

The MEA spokesperson however refused to comment conclusively on Japan PM Shinzo Abe’s India visit.

Responding to reports of his 15-16 December visit being shifted out of Guwahati and Imphal, he said, “We have no update to share right now.”

On being asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comment on CAB, Kumar said, “Pakistan should focus on its treatment of minorities rather than commenting on India's internal matter.”