Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has described the incidents of killing of Bangladesh nationals along its border with India as shameful for India.
Despite the assurance of ending border killing from the very highest level of the two countries, such incidents take place at regular intervals, the minister told the newsmen at his office in response to a question on Monday.
“This is very unfortunate for us and very shameful for them as being a strong and matured democracy they cannot control their border guards,” he noted.
Responding to another question, the minister said that the foreign ministry is in touch with Myanmar on the issue of firing along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
He said the Myanmar side had assured that they would ensure that no harm would be done to Bangladesh.
“Fighting is going on in the Rakhine State of Myanmar along the Bangladesh border. Sometimes shells, lobbed by the warring forces, are being found on our side. We have told them that this is a violation of international law and they said that these are unintentional,” the minister said.
Momen pointed out, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is aware of the developments and the foreign ministry is acting as per her guideline.”
Replying to a question on the direction of the prime minister in this regard, the minister said that country would follow a balanced diplomatic policy so that it could avoid any conflict.
“Bangladesh’s foreign policy is friendship to all and malice to none,” the foreign minister said adding that the country believes in resolving any problem through peaceful negotiations.
He said that Bangladesh requested China to talk to the Myanmar government to diffuse tension and hoped that China would convey the message.
“But as things are complex in Myanmar and there are many operators, it is not that easy,” he noted.
He also mentioned that during his telephonic conversation with the British foreign secretary on Monday he requested him to help resettle some portion of the Rohingya people to developed nations.
“I also told him that the UK, a big campaigner for human rights, has increased its investment in Myanmar manifold in recent times despite severe violations of human rights in that country,” he added.
Replying to another question, he said that the government is respectful of the human rights of the opposition, but it will not tolerate violence and destruction of property by opposition activists.
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