BSS Photo

Source: BSS

DST News: Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain announced that the interim government has so far cancelled one agreement with India and is currently reviewing several others, including the Adani power deal, for potential revision or termination.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Touhid confirmed that the only agreement cancelled so far was a deal to procure tugboats from India, which was found to be economically unviable for Bangladesh. He emphasized that the decision was made through mutual understanding between Dhaka and New Delhi.

The adviser added that the Adani power purchase agreement and several projects financed under India’s Line of Credit (LoC) are under careful reassessment, as some appear to offer limited benefit or practicality for Bangladesh.

Addressing the issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, Touhid said that India has not yet provided any update in response to Bangladesh’s formal request.

On the recent killing of three Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura, he noted that Dhaka has officially protested but has not received any formal reply from New Delhi. Rejecting India’s explanation of the incident, Touhid stated, “Both Bangladeshi and Indian laws prohibit such acts. We have sought justice and expect India to act under the rule of law.”

Regarding the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Finance Minister, the adviser said that Bangladesh is open to restoring normal diplomatic and economic relations with Pakistan, which had previously been constrained. “It is natural that we will welcome such a visit to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” he remarked.

Commenting on the UN’s decision to reduce peacekeeping deployments, Touhid clarified that the measure was due to US budget cuts, not a policy shift by the UN. He dismissed claims that Dhaka had not been informed about the peacekeeper repatriation and assured that Bangladesh is working with the UN to limit the reduction to below the proportionate level.