Govt never said it doesn't want good ties with India: Touhid
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining strong and respectful ties with India, calling the arrival of an Indian medical team as a “positive development” and a reflection of people-to-people solidarity.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Thursday evening, Touhid Hossain emphasised: “We have always wanted good, working relations with India – based on mutual respect. From day one, this has been our position. And it remains unchanged.”
He clarified that no one in the interim government has ever stated otherwise. “The idea that we don’t want good relations with India is completely false. That has never been said by any member of this government.”
Touhid Hossain welcomed the deployment of a specialised Indian medical team to assist burn victims of the tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College on July 21.
“India was one of the countries that immediately offered assistance. We consulted with the burn unit here to assess what kind of help was needed. Based on their recommendations, the Indian team has arrived and is providing support,” he said.
He described the gesture as more than diplomatic – it’s people-to-people contact, which he called “a positive and heartening development.”
Alongside India, China has also sent a medical delegation, demonstrating regional solidarity.
“Both India and China have offered assistance on their own initiative after the accident,” the Adviser noted.
However, he added: “There are no other offers from any country – and we don’t need them anymore. The Health Adviser has confirmed that we have the expertise and capacity. All injured, except the critical burn cases, are being treated locally. The assistance we have received so far is sufficient.”
A team of burn specialists – doctors and nurses from two of India’s top hospitals, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi – arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night with essential medical supplies.
Since Thursday morning, they have been working alongside Bangladeshi doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, providing critical care to the injured.
The team is closely monitoring patients and will recommend transfer to India for advanced treatment if deemed necessary. Further medical teams may be dispatched based on ongoing assessments.
The deployment follows a personal assurance from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed deep condolences over the tragedy and pledged full support.