No prime ministerial visit to India before UN session, state minister says

Bangladesh’s prime minister is not expected to visit India before the United Nations General Assembly session, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said, although bilateral discussions on a schedule are continuing.

Kobir made the comment during a meeting with leaders of EMJA, an organisation of television journalists in Sylhet. He paid the courtesy visit after journalists faced harassment while attempting to interview him the previous afternoon.

“The relationship between India and Bangladesh must move forward on the basis of mutual respect, engagement and national interest,” he said. “The rights and freedom of the people of Bangladesh are also important in this relationship.”

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The relationship between India and Bangladesh must move forward on the basis of mutual respect, engagement and national interest. The rights and freedom of the people of Bangladesh are also important in this relationship.

Kobir said Bangladesh has strong ties with the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and several Middle Eastern countries, while an effective working relationship is also developing with Russia. The prime minister will travel to the UN with a message about the progress of the “new Bangladesh,” and a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is possible there, he said.

Addressing questions about Bangladesh’s recent purchase of Boeing aircraft and a letter from the U.S. president, Kobir rejected the idea that Dhaka was under pressure. “No one is putting any pressure to buy Boeing aircraft,” he said. “Boeing is being bought from America because the country has a need, and more will be bought if required. Be it Boeing or Airbus, whatever is needed will be bought.”

He also said discussions were continuing on the Mecca agreement. Joining it, he said, would not be unusual because many countries belong to more than one security alliance. Bangladesh would make such decisions according to its national interest.

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No one is putting any pressure to buy Boeing aircraft. Boeing is being bought from America because the country has a need, and more will be bought if required. Be it Boeing or Airbus, whatever is needed will be bought.