NRC, CAA won’t have impact on Bangladesh

Says visiting Indian foreign secretary

India has reiterated that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are purely internal matters to that country and they would not affect its friendly relationship with Bangladesh. The Indian foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said this while addressing a seminar on ‘Bangladesh and India: A Promising Future’. The seminar was jointly organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Indian high commission at a city hotel.

Shringla also expressed optimism about the implementation of the water sharing agreement of common rivers, including the Teesta, possibly within this year. In addition, he said every death on the border was a problematic issue and India truly regretted it. India intends to bring down the number of border deaths as much as possible, he added. Shringla further said current government in Bangladesh was sensitive to the concerns of the minority communities and protecting them following the constitutional provisions and laws.

The Prime Minister’s advisor, Dr Gowher Rizvi, said minorities in Bangladesh are absolutely equal citizens here. The seminar was also attended by Indian high commissioner Riva Ganguly Das, BIISS chairman ambassador M Fazlul Karum, and BIISS acting director general Colonel Sheikh Masud Ahmed.

Shringla said: “NRC is a process which is underway only in the state of Assam under the direct guidance of the Supreme Court and not driven by the Indian government. “This is clearly a process of internal affairs of our country. The implementation of NRC is a long and lengthy judicial process. Therefore, there is no reason at this point of time for the concern that there will be any impact on Bangladesh. This is an internal issue and will absolutely have no impact on particularly when it comes to a country that is a close friend and an important partner of us. You have our assurance on that count,” he added.

Regarding CAA, the Indian foreign secretary said: “CAA has been misunderstood in many senses. CAA is not directed against any religion. The act is designed to help those who have faced political persecution in different times in other countries.” “Our leaders at the Indian parliament said the persecution of minorities does not apply to the current government in Bangladesh. This applies to the post-1975 period when military government and other governments did not observe the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Bangladesh which is secular. And as a result of which a number of people had to flee persecution and come to India,” he also said.

NRC, CAA wont have impact on Bangladesh

Says visiting Indian foreign secretary

India has reiterated that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are purely internal matters to that country and they would not affect its friendly relationship with Bangladesh. The Indian foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said this while addressing a seminar on Bangladesh and India: A Promising Future. The seminar was jointly organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Indian high commission at a city hotel. Shringla also expressed optimism about the implementation of the water sharing agreement of common rivers, including the Teesta, possibly within this year. In addition, he said every death on the border was a problematic issue and India truly regretted it. India intends to bring down the number of border deaths as much as possible, he added. Shringla further said current government in Bangladesh was sensitive to the concerns of the minority communities and protecting them following the constitutional provisions and laws. The Prime Ministers advisor, Dr Gowher Rizvi, said minorities in Bangladesh are absolutely equal citizens here. The seminar was also attended by Indian high commissioner Riva Ganguly Das, BIISS chairman ambassador M Fazlul Karum, and BIISS acting director general Colonel Sheikh Masud Ahmed. Shringla said: NRC is a process which is underway only in the state of Assam under the direct guidance of the Supreme Court and not driven by the Indian government. This is clearly a process of internal affairs of our country. The implementation of NRC is a long and lengthy judicial process. Therefore, there is no reason at this point of time for the concern that there will be any impact on Bangladesh. This is an internal issue and will absolutely have no impact on particularly when it comes to a country that is a close friend and an important partner of us. You have our assurance on that count, he added. Regarding CAA, the Indian foreign secretary said: CAA has been misunderstood in many senses. CAA is not directed against any religion. The act is designed to help those who have faced political persecution in different times in other countries. Our leaders at the Indian parliament said the persecution of minorities does not apply to the current government in Bangladesh. This applies to the post-1975 period when military government and other governments did not observe the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Bangladesh which is secular. And as a result of which a number of people had to flee persecution and come to India, he also said.