Diplomatic Correspondent

India has dismissed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) accusation of interfering in the country’s 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7.

While responding to a question, Arindam Baghchi, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India, said, “Whatever the political spokesperson of BNP said about India’s role in influencing Bangladesh Election, we have no comment. Generally, we don’t comment on politicians' views.”

Reiterating India’s position over the Bangladesh election, Baghchi said, “Whatever people of Bangladesh decide to choose their government India has nothing to say. It is the people of Bangladesh who will decide the fate of the election. We only want a peaceful election to be held in Bangladesh.”

As a close neighbor, he said, “We should continue to support the vision of Bangladesh for a stable, developed and prosperous country”.

On the visit of the US Ambassador of Bangladesh to India

Baghchi, while replying to another question asked by the correspondent, said, “We have seen media reports that he (US Ambassador) had come to India, perhaps for a private visit. Whether he met any Indian official during the visit is not to our knowledge. “

Sources in the MEA confirmed that no MEA officials met US Ambassador Peter Hass during his visit. But he did meet some other Indian officers and a think tank. He has also spent his Christmas holiday in Mumbai and made a short visit to Goa.

Sources also reiterated that India has made its position clear to the USA during the 2+2 meeting with both the Foreign and Defence Minister of the USA.