While participating in the ongoing Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain gave an interview to Turkish television TRT World.
In an interview given on Sunday (April 13), he said that the interim government is working to establish a sustainable and democratic governance system in line with the expectations of the people. The government's main goal is to create a political structure where authoritarian tendencies do not return.
The Foreign Affairs Advisor said, "The current government has come to meet the demands of the people. The demand of those who gave their lives and agitated is a sustainable system where no one can abuse power again."
He said, "A new constitution is coming, we have never said that directly. The decision on this matter will come from the people and political parties. We want to ensure that the autocracy that the previous government was able to establish and destroy democracy does not return."
Touhid Hossain said, "The biggest challenge of the current government is the economy. The country had turned into a kind of plunder rule in the previous 15 years. Foreign reserves had come down from 42 to 20 billion. Thousands of crores of taka have been laundered. We are now trying to bring back economic stability, especially in the banking sector."
In response to the question of bringing Sheikh Hasina back from India, he said, "An official request has been made for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. This is part of our effort to establish justice. Our view of relations with India is a balanced, friendly relationship based on mutual interests and respect. I think India also wants that relationship. They may need some time to adjust to the new reality."
Mentioning that Bangladesh's relationship with Turkey is quite unique, the Foreign Affairs Advisor said, "The people of Bangladesh have deep respect and love for Turkey in their hearts. We want to build a strong, long-lasting cooperative relationship with Turkey. We are moving in that direction."
