India is monitoring Bangladesh's situation and wants a positive relationship, says Jaiswal

India has stated its position on various bilateral issues including the ongoing garment workers' movement in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India, and the Ganges water treaty. The country's foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. At the same time, New Delhi wants to maintain a positive, future-oriented and constructive relationship with Bangladesh.

Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to journalists' questions at the Indian foreign ministry's regular weekly briefing in Delhi on Tuesday (3 November).

Asked about the ongoing movement of garment workers in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said, 'We are keeping an eye on the overall ongoing situation in Bangladesh.'

Asked whether Bangladesh's internal situation could affect India's economy and cross-border trade, Jaiswal also said India is keeping an eye on what is happening in Bangladesh. India's position on the relationship between the two countries is positive.

Jaiswal further said, 'We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. Various events are happening there and we are observing them. In the case of India-Bangladesh relations, we want to move towards a positive, future-oriented and constructive relationship.'

A question on the Ganges water treaty was also raised at the briefing. A PTI journalist asked about a Bangladeshi opposition leader's statement that if India does not give water, Indian goods, corridors and transit would be stopped. The leader had also demanded ensuring Bangladesh's fair share of water under the Ganges treaty.

In reply, Randhir Jaiswal said there is a Joint Rivers Commission between the two countries to discuss the water of common rivers including the Ganges. This is the designated framework to discuss all transboundary rivers. He said, 'On the Ganges water treaty I have said before, there is a Joint Rivers Commission between India and Bangladesh. This is the structured arrangement to discuss all cross-border rivers including the Ganges.'

Another journalist asked about the Bangladesh prime minister's visit to India. He said the visit has been awaited for a long time but he has not come yet, and asked whether there was a reason behind it. In reply the spokesperson said, 'We have already invited the prime minister of Bangladesh to visit India. If there is any update on this, we will let you know.'

Another journalist asked whether India's distance with Bangladesh has grown after the formation of the new government and whether Bangladesh is leaning more towards China and Pakistan. In reply Jaiswal said, 'In the case of the historic relationship between India and Bangladesh, we are committed to maintaining and working on a positive, constructive and future-oriented bilateral relationship.'