Govt distances itself from Hasnat’s ‘Seven Sisters’ remark: Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said the government does not endorse remarks made by National Citizens Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah regarding the separation of India’s northeastern states, known as the “Seven Sisters”.

Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry in the afternoon, Touhid Hossain clarified that Hasnat’s comments did not reflect the government’s position. 

“Hasnat is not part of the government, so his statement is not the government’s stance. Bangladesh will never shelter any separatist,” he said.

At a rally in Dhaka on Tuesday, Hasnat Abdullah claimed that India was sheltering individuals hostile to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, voting rights and human rights, and went on to say Bangladesh would shelter separatists in India and support the separation of the Seven Sisters from the country.

The remarks triggered widespread discussion and criticism, prompting India to summon the Bangladesh High Commissioner and convey its concerns.

Iterating the government’s position, Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh does not believe in any form of terrorism or separatism. 

“If any separatist individual comes to Bangladesh, the government will not provide shelter. This was Hasnat’s personal statement and not the government’s,” he added.