Touhid sees no reason for ‘non-family’ posting of Indian diplomats

Md Touhid Hossain, foreign affairs adviser to the interim government, said he cannot find any reason for the withdrawal of family members of Indian diplomats from Bangladesh. 

He added that there is no situation in the country that puts Indian officials or their families at risk.

He made the remarks on Wednesday, January 28, in response to journalists’ questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When asked if the move reflected any security concerns, Touhid said, “There is no concern. I do not understand what signal they are sending. It is their own matter – they can ask their staff and families to leave at any time.”

He added, “I cannot find any reason why they are doing this. Nothing has happened in Bangladesh that threatens their officials or families. They may have fears or may want to send a message, but I can’t see the exact message in it.”

Touhid further noted, “If they want to take their families back, that is their choice. We have nothing to do with it. Overall, there has been no disruption in security. During previous elections, there were occasional clashes, but this time, nothing out of the ordinary has happened.”

When asked whether India had officially raised any security concerns, the foreign affairs adviser said, “We have not been informed that they are in danger.”