Indo-Pak tensions: Dhaka urges talks to avoid conflict

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain yesterday said the ongoing tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue.

"Our position is very clear. We want peace in South Asia. We are aware of the longstanding rivalry between Pakistan and India. We would expect the two countries to resolve the problem through dialogue," he said, replying to media queries at the foreign ministry.

"We have good relations with both India and Pakistan," the foreign adviser added.

India-Pakistan relations drastically deteriorated after a terrorist attack killed 26 people and injured 17 in the Indian-controlled Kashmir last week.

India has accused Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century.

Islamabad has denied any involvement, calling attempts to link Pakistan to the attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action.

The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.

In the aftermath of the attack, New Delhi suspended the Indus water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.

In response, Islamabad has ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals, and closing the main border crossing from its side.

Asked if Bangladesh will take any initiative to mediate between India and Pakistan, Touhid Hossain said some countries have already proposed for mediation.

"I don't think, at this moment, we should try to make any efforts. If any party wants, then only we can go for mediation. We don't want to do anything on our own.

"In whatever ways, through mediation or bilateral discussion, we want the tension to diffuse and peace established," he added.

Asked about an alleged crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshis in India, the foreign adviser said the foreign ministry has not received any official communication from India yet on the issue.

On Saturday, several international media reported that more than a thousand undocumented Bangladeshis were arrested in Ahmedabad and Surat.

"Even if there is official communication, whether they are Bangladeshis or not is subject to verification. There are also Bangla-speaking people in India. If they are from Bangladesh and that is proven, we will bring them back," Touhid added.

Though there is no travel advisory for Bangladeshis on visiting India, he noted that it is better not to visit there at this moment unless it is essential.

HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR TO RAKHINE

Asked about the UN proposal for a humanitarian corridor to Rakhine State of Myanmar, Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh agrees to the proposal in principle, but there are conditions that need to be met.

He did not detail the conditions, but a diplomatic source said a major condition is to ensure conducive conditions for the Rohingya to return to Rakhine.

Some 1.2 million Rohingya are staying in Bangladesh.

Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh cannot officially maintain communication with the Arakan Army, which controls over 80 percent of Rakhine State, but "we also cannot remain detached even if we want to" for the sake of Bangladesh's security along the border with Myanmar.