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Indian
Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani
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By
Ahmed Faruque Hassan, IOL Bangladesh correspondent
DHAKA,
Bangladesh, November 11 (IslamOnline) - The High Commissioner of India
was summoned Sunday afternoon, November 10, to the Foreign Ministry
and handed a rebuttal to Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani’s
comments about Pakistani military intelligence outfit Inter-Service
Intelligence (ISI) and Al-Qaeda networks in Bangladesh.
Foreign
Secretary of Bangladesh Shamser Mobin Chowdhury handed the
Indian High Commissioner ML Tripathy an aide-memoire venting concern
over such remarks.
The
diplomatic note said Bangladesh never expected such aspersions made by
a responsible leader of the Indian government. Bangladesh rejects such
comment as “baseless and incorrect, if not motivated.”
Last
Thursday, November 7, LK Advani reportedly told PTI that “after the
change of government in Bangladesh, there has been an increase in the
activities of the Al-Qaeda and Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI)
there.”
Advani
also claimed that Dhaka is providing “cover” support and refuge to
separatist rebel groups operating in the northeastern states of India.
The
Foreign Secretary categorically said Bangladesh does not allow its
territory to be used for the purpose of support, shelter or training
of insurgents against any of its neighbors, including India.
He
also noted that all allegations of insurgency, and intelligence
activities allegedly carried out against India from Bangladeshi
territory, had been thoroughly investigated and found to be without
any basis.
“Bangladesh
rejects any accusation that Al-Qaeda elements are getting refuge in
Bangladesh,” Shamser Mobin Chowdhury said, reiterating
Bangladesh’s position on terrorism.
He
reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh to remain fruitfully engaged
with India and other neighbors to promote mutually beneficial
interactions in the region.
“Dhaka
strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,”
says the aide-memoire.
The
Bangladesh authorities expressed the hope that due restraint would be
exercised by all concerned so that the atmosphere of friendship
between the two neighbors is not affected.
Indian
High Commission officials told local journalists that Tripathy
conveyed to the Foreign Secretary that he is not in a position to
comment on remarks of Deputy Prime Minister Advani “who speaks with
full sense of responsibility based on reliable information available
to him.”
The
envoy said Advani had only reiterated India’s “serious concerns”
which were earlier conveyed to Bangladesh government on different
occasions.
The
Indian High Commissioner also raised the issues of repatriation and
whereabouts of Sanjit Deb Burman, member of the outlawed ATTF,
repatriation of ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia, his associates
Babul Sharma and LP Goswamy and the whereabouts of three
“self-confessed Naga militants” arrested in December last year.
Tripathy
alleged Sanjit Deb Burman receives legal assistance while Anup Chetia
and his associates are being given “first-class hospitality” in
jail.
During
the meeting with the Foreign Secretary, the Indian envoy said
inadequate actions to these cases sent “wrong signals” to the
Indian insurgents that “Dhaka is supportive” of their anti-Indian
agenda, which causes “serious misgivings in New Delhi.”
He
said the Indian government expects that the Bangladeshi government
would treat this matter seriously and “initiate immediate action.”
Bangladesh
Monday, November 11, urged India to arrest and deport the criminals
who have crossed over to the neighboring country in the wake of joint
operation against terrorists.
At
the same time Foreign Secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury handed over a
“note verbal” to Indian High Commissioner ML Tripathy when the
diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Ministry Sunday afternoon.
Chowdhury
requested assistance of the Indian government for increased vigilance
at the border against such trespass.
The
High Commissioner assured the Foreign Secretary that India would fully
cooperate with Bangladesh authorities in rounding up Bangladeshi
“criminals so that they can be brought to justice.”
Tripathy
requested the names and particulars of the suspected offenders who
have reportedly crossed over into India recently so that appropriate
actions can be taken to apprehend and return them to Bangladesh.
Since
the Bangladeshi army is already taking action against criminals, it
should be instructed by the Bangladeshi government to take steps so
they cannot enter into India, he said.
Tripathy
also recalled that earlier a list of 14 such criminal elements had
been received from the Foreign Ministry. But more details about them,
including their photographs, were yet to be received from Dhaka, he
said.
