Answering the question, Arindam Bagchi said, the comment on repression of opposition, arrest of leaders and sending them to jail was not his, but that of the person asking the question. After this he said that India does not want to comment on the policies of any other country.
Clarifying his statement, Arindam Bagchi said that Bangladesh elections are an internal matter of Bangladesh. The people of the country will decide their future. But India was a close friend and partner of the country. In that sense, India respects the democratic process in Bangladesh. India will continue its support for the development of Bangladesh as a stable, peaceful and developing country.
This is the first time that India has given a clear statement about its position on the current political situation in Bangladesh, keeping the elections at the centre. This statement was made on the eve of the meeting between the Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers of India and America. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to participate in the meetings to be held on Friday. Apart from bilateral relations, regional matters are also likely to be discussed in the meeting.
The stances of India and America on the issue of Bangladesh elections are somewhat contradictory. The United States has implemented a visa policy and has also adopted other measures aimed at ensuring fair, free, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.