Imran discusses SAARC, Kashmir with Hasina over phone; Dhaka statement silent on issues

By Gautam Lahiri

July 22, 2020

New Delhi: In a bid to mend its ties with Bangladesh, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday reached out to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina over phone  and discussed a range of issues which may bother South block.

It is almost after 8 months that the call came from the Pakistan Prime Minister, though foreign ministries of both the countries were working out for last few days about schedule of the proposed telephone conversation, which was was known to many people in Dhaka.

Interestingly after the conversations, both countries issued formal press releases which indicate that the two did not respond to each other’s concern. Imran Khan had last called Hasina on October 3 , 2019, just before her India visit.

During the over-15 minute afternoon converation, Khan invited Hasina to visit Islamabad at an early date. But the press release issued by the Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim from Ganabhavan of Bangladesh PMO is totally silent on the invitation.

According to Hasina’s Press Secretary, the Pakistan Prime Minister wanted to know about the situation of Corona pandemic in Bangladesh and the measure taken by the Government to combat virus. Hasina apprised him in detail about the measures taken by her Government and the success achieved. Khan also wanted to know about the flood situation in the country.

The Pakistan PMO later released a press communique with details of the conversations which states that Prime Minister Khan discussed about ‘global initiatives on debt relief ‘ for developing countries. Recently World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have called for debt relief of developing countries to help them cope with the social and economic consequences of the ongoing pandemic.

He emphasised on improving bilateral ties and urged for regular bilateral interaction and people to people contact. Recently Bangladesh Government refused to approve the appointment of Pakistani High Commissioner for 20 months.

Islamabad had to make fresh proposal for the appointment of Imran Siddiqui as envoy to Dhaka. His name was approved by Dhaka last november and he finally joined mission on January. Following Bangladesh national elections, Pakistani envoy met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen only early this month. That too during the pandemic crisis.

Islamabad was quite happy that during ongoing spat between China and India in Ladakh, Dhaka remained totally silent over the killing of 20 Indian by PLA troops, whereas last year, after Pulwama attack, the Bangladesh Prime Minister herself offered condolences and sent a message to Prime Minister Narendar Modi.

Pakistan PMO also said that Prime Minister Khan impressed upon Hasina the need to revive the SAARC process and proposed to work together for enhanced regional cooperation. Khan also raised the internal situation of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the statement isssued by Dhaka on the conversation ignored the subjects

–India News Stream