Delhi calls Dhaka’s concerns ‘baseless’, urges for quick elections

Darwin, August 21 — India has denied allegations of allowing the ‘banned’ political party Awami League to open political offices in Delhi and Kolkata and conduct anti-Bangladesh activities from Indian soil.

Calling the interim Bangladeshi government’s statement on the issue ‘baseless,’ New Delhi stated that it does not permit political activities against any country from Indian territory.

On Wednesday, Dhaka issued a statement urging the Indian government to take action against the Awami League.

Within hours, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randeep Joyswal, responded, reiterating India’s expectation for a free, fair, and participatory election in Bangladesh soon.

In the statement from the Bangladesh government, it was mentioned, “The Bangladesh government has noted with concern media reports that the banned political party Awami League has opened offices in India’s capital Delhi and Kolkata.”

The statement described the incident as part of the Awami League leadership’s increasing anti-Bangladesh activities on Indian soil.

It further said, “Many senior leaders of the party, who are absconding in various cases related to crimes against humanity in Bangladesh, are residing in India.”

As an example, the statement referred to an attempt on July 21 by Awami League leaders to hold a public contact program at a Delhi press club under the guise of an NGO.

The Bangladesh government called such activities “a clear insult to the people and the state of Bangladesh” and said, “This incident risks the maintenance of the friendly and respectful relationship between India and Bangladesh based on mutual trust and has a serious impact on the ongoing political change in Bangladesh.”

Dhaka warned that the situation could raise sensitivities among the people of Bangladesh, which might hinder efforts to improve bilateral relations.

At the end of the statement, Bangladesh called on the Indian government to ensure that no Bangladeshi citizen can carry out any anti-Bangladesh activities from Indian soil and demanded that the political offices of the banned Awami League be immediately closed in India.

Responding to media questions, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randeep Joyswal said, “The Indian government is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities or any actions contrary to Indian law being carried out by possible members of the Awami League in India. The Indian government does not allow political activities against any country to be conducted from Indian soil.”

He added, “Therefore, the statement issued by Bangladesh’s interim government is baseless.”

At the end of his remarks, Joyswal reiterated India’s expectation that free, fair, and inclusive elections will be held in Bangladesh at the earliest possible time to ensure the people’s will and mandate.

Following the student and public uprising in Bangladesh in 2024, and after Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 and the fall of the Awami League government, the interim government formed in May of this year banned the party’s activities under the anti-terrorism law.