MEA rejects Dhaka’s allegations, says no anti-Bangladesh activities from Indian soil

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that it was not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India, asserting that New Delhi doesn’t allow political activities against other countries on its soil.

The response from the MEA came after the Interim Government of Bangladesh expressed concern over the reported opening of the offices of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League in India, saying that such a development poses a threat to bilateral relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.

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“This development also risks upholding the good-neighbourly relations with India driven by mutual trust and mutual respect, and lends serious implications for the political transformation underway in Bangladesh,” the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Responding to Dhaka’s statement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law. The Government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil.”

Jaiswal further stated that the press statement by the Interim Government of Bangaldesh calling for action against the reported establishment of offices of the banned Awami League in New Delhi and Kolkata, was “misplaced”.

Jaiswal also reiterated that New Delhi expects free, fair and inclusive elections be held in Bangaldesh at the earliest “to ascertain the will and mandate of the people.”

The row over purported Awami League offices comes in the backdrop of strained ties between New Delhi and Dhaka in the wake of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

Hasina is reportedly residing in India after fleeing Bangladesh following a massive student uprising against her government last year.