Dhaka wants regional peace; prefers Delhi-Islamabad talks to ease tensions

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Bangladesh wants peace in South Asia, noting that tensions between India and Pakistan can be eased through dialogue.

He also said Bangladesh does not want to see any major conflict that might become a source of danger for the people in the region.

"Our position is very clear. We want peace in South Asia. We do not want any major conflict to arise, which can become a source of danger for the people of this region," Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question.

There is an escalating tension between two South Asian countries- India and Pakistan - following the killing of 26 tourists in a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last week.

Asked whether Bangladesh would consider mediating between India and Pakistan, Hossain said Bangladesh does not want to mediate at the moment. "We should not try to play any role of mediation at this moment. We do not want to do anything prematurely," he said.

Hossain said Bangladesh wants to see tensions between India and Pakistan to ease through mediation or bilateral talks, in any way.

As Bangladesh has good relations with both India and Pakistan, Hossain said they want peace in the region..

India and Pakistan have long been in conflictive relations on various issues, Hossain observed.

Noting that Bangladesh has good relations with both India and Pakistan, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said Bangladesh would like them to resolve the problem through talks.

He said they have seen that proposals for mediation have already come from one or two countries. "Mediation or bilateral talks, whatever the case, we want tensions to be defused and peace to be maintained."

Regarding the reported arrests of over 1,000 Bangladeshis in Gujarat and elsewhere in India, the Adviser said Bangladesh has not yet officially received any report from the Indian authorities.

"Whether those arrested are Bangladeshis is subject to verification," Hossain said.

"If it is confirmed that they are Bangladeshis, Bangladesh will cooperate in addressing the matter accordingly," he added.

If any letter is given officially, he said they will have to see whether they are citizens of Bangladesh or not.

"If they are citizens of Bangladesh, then we will definitely take them back. But whether they are citizens of Bangladesh or not is also subject to proof," Hossain added.

Following the attack, India suspended a key water-sharing agreement, closed the sole land crossing with Pakistan, and revoked visas for Pakistani citizens.

Pakistan responded by cancelling Indian visas, shutting its airspace to Indian airlines, and halting trade. Citizens on both sides began returning home via the Wagah border crossing.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to respond forcefully to any Indian moves to block water flows and expressed willingness to join an impartial investigation into the attack.