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Force (ISF) for Gaza, Touhid said Bangladesh has not yet taken a decision on sending forces.

“It is still at the discussion level. It has not been determined who will be part of this initiative. Most importantly, three conditions have been mentioned clearly. Under no circumstances will Bangladesh join without an environment consistent with those conditions.”

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday said the conditions include that the ISF must be temporary and operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate, there must be a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza, and responsibility for Gaza must be transferred to the Palestinians.

Asked whether such discussions were appropriate as the interim government’s tenure nears its end, Touhid said, “The tenure is ending with the February 12 election, but a government will be there.”

He added that the country’s engagement and interests do not change overnight and the government would not act against national interests.

On recent conflicts in Rakhine spilling over into Bangladesh, he said his ministry summoned the Myanmar government envoy and protested the firing incident that injured a child in Teknaf, seeking assurances to prevent any recurrence.

“The Myanmar government does not recognise the rebel group as a legal entity and Bangladesh cannot formally communicate with it,” he said, adding that the conflicts in Rakhine began long ago and are unlikely to end anytime soon.

On reports of Bangladesh and China working towards setting up a military drone factory in Bangladesh, Touhid said the country’s military capacity needs to be developed and efforts are underway to do so. “We will not do anything to deteriorate our relations with any country. We’ll keep a balance,” he said.