New Delhi: Clearing the air on reports of Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen cancelling his India visit due to the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has said that the minister cancelled his visit due to the scheduling issue.
Hailing the strong relationship between both countries, the MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We were informed about the cancellation of his visit. Bangladesh conveyed that the minister has changed his programme on account of domestic issues pertaining to the commemoration of the Victory Day in Bangladesh on December 16."
Raveesh Kumar also pointed out that any speculation that this development is related to the passage of the CAB is unwarranted.
He even asserted that there has been confusion regarding CAB. Raveesh Kumar claimed that New Delhi never meant that religious persecution has taken place in the present government in Bangladesh. These migrants were persecuted during the military rule and other government's rule. Rather India acknowledges the steps taken by the current government to protect the human rights of these minorities.
Though the statement which was given by the Bangladeshi FM to one of their media houses clearly speaks of the tensions that have emerged between both sides over the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Read also: Bangladesh foreign minister cancels India visit
As reported by the Bangladesh media, Foreign Minister Momen said, "They have many problems within the country. Let them fight among themselves. That doesn't bother us. As a friendly country, we hope that India would not do something that affects our friendly relationship."
Bangladesh Foreign Minister was scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday evening. Momen was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Combined session of Delhi Dialogue and India Ocean Dialogue on Friday.
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