Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, left, and Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus
NEW DELHI: India on Monday reaffirmed its firm support for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, stressing that they should be held at the earliest possible time. Speaking on the issue, foreign secretary Vikram Misri underlined India’s commitment to working with whichever government emerges from the democratic process, while highlighting the need for a conducive environment to strengthen bilateral ties. “I want to be very, very clear on this one matter. If there is any doubt in anybody’s mind, India is firmly in favour of free, fair, inclusive, and participatory elections in Bangladesh. And it is in favour of these elections being held at the earliest possible time,” Misri said. He added, as quoted by ANI, “We are encouraged by the fact that Bangladesh authorities themselves have spoken about the time frame for these elections. And we would look forward to these elections taking place. As I said, we hope that they are held without any delay.”Also read: Bangladesh govt has failed minorities, shifting blame now, says India Misri underlined that India will engage with any government elected through the democratic process. “And also that we are looking forward to engaging with any government that emerges as a result of these elections. It will be a government, obviously, that will be elected with a popular mandate. And we will work with whichever government the people of Bangladesh choose to represent them,” he said. Highlighting India’s pragmatic approach, Misri said, “I also want to state that the approach that we have adopted has also been a pragmatic approach. We are no strangers to the momentous changes that have taken place in the region, in the world, and in Bangladesh as well.” He emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive environment for these elections. “The only point I would make is that for this to be sustained and become the basis for even better relations in the future, we all need, on both sides, to work on a facilitating environment. And what I mean by that is that it is important in this context to avoid statements or actions that vitiate the atmosphere.” On India’s continued engagement, Misri noted, as quoted by ANI, “On our side, I would like to point to some of the efforts that we have made. The Prime Minister was, I think, among the first, if not the first, major world leader to welcome Professor Muhammad Yunus when he took over as Chief Advisor of the Interim Government in Bangladesh. He invited him to participate in the Voice of Global South Summit, and we were very glad that Professor Muhammad Yunus did so.“ Acknowledging global attention on Bangladesh’s elections, Misri said, “The one issue which, obviously, is important and is being watched, not just in the region but globally as well, is the next steps in the internal situation in Bangladesh. We have all seen, for instance, the announcements and the statements that have been made with regard to the next elections in Bangladesh. I understand that a time frame for February has been indicated in this regard.“
