Pak must accept that it carried out genocide in then East Pakistan: Dr A.K.Abdul Momen

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A.K.Abdul Momen has reminded the Pakistan lobby that   Islamabad must confess that it carried out genocide in erstwhile East Pakistan before its liberation in 1971 as an independent nation if it intends to improve relations with Dhaka. Participating in a TV discussion on Sunday, Dr Momen said that he conveyed this to the recently appointed Pakistani Ambassador to Bangladesh on July 01 when they met as part of diplomatic norms. He also termed the recent call by the PM of Pakistan to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a routine call which is being unnecessarily hyped, reports AIR. ‘’The Indian government and society have an obligation to prevent any development that can fracture the historic ties with Bangladesh,’’ Dr Momen said. The statement was in reference to the August 5 inauguration of construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Some political analysts in  Bangladesh are apprehensive that the construction of the proposed Ram temple may provide a fresh opportunity to the opponents of incumbent PM   Sheikh Hasina to embarrass her. The FM  defended last week’s phone conversation between Prime Minister Hasina and her Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan saying there was nothing unusual in that discussion. Speaking about the trade relationship with India, Dr Momen said that it was growing and has now reached  09 billion USD  with exports from Bangladesh also increasing to 01 billion USD. Covid-19 has adversely impacted trade between the two countries. Asked about river water sharing with India, Dr  Momen said that the talks between the two countries were moving in a positive direction. He said India has a positive approach in resolving issues between the two countries. Small issues will have no impact on the relationship between the two neighbouring nations as it is based on trust, values and principles. Development of Bangladesh was India’s development and vice-versa. The Indo-Bangladesh relationship is a unique example of a model relationship between the two countries. The brotherhood gifted by Bangabandhu and Indira Gandhi has now reached its “Sonali Adhyay”  under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr  Momen added. (Picture courtesy: New Indian Express)