Need to leave internal politics behind to avoid being stuck in past, says Indian envoy Trivedi

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday said the biggest task now for both Bangladesh and India is to leave internal politics behind and work together for the welfare and development of the people of both countries, saying there would be no development if they remained “stuck in the past”.

"There will be no development if we are stuck in the past. We want to develop the people-to- people relations," he told reporters after a meeting with LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at his Secretariat office.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was present.

"This is a relationship between the people of the two countries. It is the responsibility of both countries to protect the interests of their neighbours and maintain mutual trust,” he said, while declining to comment on Bangladesh’s internal politics.

Dinesh Trivedi called on Moyeen Khan, also a standing committee member of BNP, on the occasion of the party's foundation anniversary.

The Indian envoy greeted the BNP leaders and activists on the occasion.

During the meeting, they discussed issues related to mutual interests and the local government elections.

Dinesh Trivedi called Dr Moyeen Khan an experienced 'statesman', saying young political leaders have a lot to learn from Moyeen Khan's experience.

About the outcomes of the meeting, he said positive talks were also held on free trade and economic relations between the countries.

LGRD Minister for further strengthening Bangladesh-India ties

At the meeting, Moyeen Khan expressed hope that Bangladesh-India bilateral ties would be further strengthened and cooperation expanded in areas of mutual interest and for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries.

The meeting also discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation, including the prospects of a free trade arrangement.

The minister also underscored the need for strengthening people-to-people contacts to take bilateral relations to a new height in the days to come.

The Indian high commissioner expressed his country’s interest in capacity building and experience-sharing in the local government sector.

He said Bangladeshi officials and representatives could receive training and exchange experiences on local government management through a training institute in Hyderabad, India.

Subsequently briefing the reporters, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said India had expressed interest in utilising Bangladesh’s experience in the local government election process and, subject to discussions, sending observers.

He said the government is committed to holding free, fair and impartial local government elections, adding that the polls to all five tiers of local government will be completed within the current fiscal year.