USIP discusses Indo-China relations with AL

A delegation of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) discussed the Indo-China relations and Indo-Pacific strategy of the Awami League-led government at a meeting with an AL delegation yesterday.

AL International Affairs secretary Shammi Ahmed, a member of the AL delegation, said this after the meeting held at the AL president's Dhanmondi political office.

"They were interested in Indo-China relations. There was also discussion about the Indo-Pacific strategy, and Bangladesh's relations with Europe, America," he said.

"The political tension in this sub-continent and the role of Bangladesh in these issues, what Awami League is thinking about, were discussed," Shammi Ahmed told reporters.

"They wanted to know about our relations with India and China, and with other countries in the sub-continent. We have stated our stances. We emphasised on the foreign policy of Bangladesh -- friendship with all, enmity with none -- as given by our Father of the Nation," she added.

She also said there was no talk about the upcoming elections in the meeting.

"They didn't ask any question, we didn't say anything either," Shammi said.

"We said we do not interfere in anyone's internal affairs, nor talk about it. We respect the ideology of other countries. What is happening in India, in China, is a matter of the people of those countries respectively," she said.

The three-member USIP delegation included USIP visiting expert for South Asia Region Geoffrey Macdonald, its senior adviser Dan Markey, and research analyst Isha Gupta.

AL advisory council member Inam Ahmed, presidium member Muhammad Faruk Khan and its international affairs secretary Shammi Ahmed, among others, were present at the meeting.