India wants ‘continuation of democracy in Bangladesh’

Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh meets with opposition leader Khaleda Zia at the latter's Gulshan residence in the capital today. Quoting the visiting official, a BNP spokesman said India wants to see stability and continuation of democracy in Bangladesh. Photo: STAR

Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh in a meeting with opposition leader Khaleda Zia today said India wants to see stability and continuation of democracy in Bangladesh.

“The Indian foreign secretary said they want peace and stability to prevail in Bangladesh with the continuation of democratic process for the socioeconomic development of the region,” BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told reporters after the meeting.

Earlier, Sujatha arrived at Khaleda’s Gulshan residence with a seven-member delegation and had an hour-long meeting from 5:00pm with the opposition leader.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Shamsher Mobin said the Indian foreign secretary and Khaleda at the meeting discussed various bilateral issues.

Referring to Khaleda’s visit to India in 2012, she said India’s relation with BNP reached a new height following her visit and hoped that it will improve further in the days to come, the BNP leader said.

Terming India the closest neighbour of Bangladesh, Khaleda told the Indian secretary that the relation between Bangladesh and India should move forward on the basis of mutual benefits, the BNP vice-chairman added.

Asked whether they discussed the upcoming election, Shamsher Mobin said they did not discuss it elaborately.

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, BNP chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman and Shabihuddin Ahmed were present at the meeting.