India is steering its relationship with Bangladesh in a "positive direction," according to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, May 12, Jaiswal emphasized that India has already signaled its commitment to fostering constructive ties with its neighbor.
Highlighting recent high-level engagements, Jaiswal pointed to the visit of Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to Delhi and the subsequent visit of Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Dhaka.
"This represents the current trajectory of our relationship with Bangladesh," Jaiswal noted.
Energy Support Amid Global Crisis
Addressing India’s role in supporting neighboring countries during the ongoing global energy crisis, Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi continues to meet Dhaka's energy requirements.
Despite market pressures fueled by regional conflicts, India remains a steady supplier via the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
"We have been supplying diesel through the high-speed diesel friendship pipeline," Jaiswal stated. "We received requests for additional supply from Bangladesh, which we have met and continue to fulfill."
Border Security and Regional Politics
The briefing also touched upon recent developments regarding border infrastructure.
Suvendu Adhikari, the newly elected Chief Minister of West Bengal, recently announced that his government would hand over the necessary land to the Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days to complete barbed-wire fencing along the international border.
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"Ensuring border security is our priority," Jaiswal remarked regarding the decision. "We view this move through that lens."
The announcement from West Bengal has drawn sharp reactions from Dhaka:
Humayun Kabir, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stated that "barbed-wire fences can no longer be used to intimidate Bangladesh," asserting that the people and government are not deterred by such measures.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed dismissed the comments from the West Bengal Chief Minister as "insignificant" for the time being, noting that the Bangladeshi government would only engage in formal diplomatic discussions if the decision was officially communicated by the Indian central government.
