FROM PAGE 2

shoving during the earlier elections and nothing more than that has happened this time.”

Asked about the foreign ministry’s statement after deposed prime minster Sheikh Hasina’s speech at a public event in New Delhi inciting her party loyalists and the general public to carry out acts of terror aimed at derailing the upcoming general elections, he said that there is apprehension that attempts may be made to create conflict.

“The others may be able to explain the day-to-day details better. But we believe that if any danger or conflict occurs, it would not be normal, because those participating in the election are showing sufficient restraint in their activities. Therefore, any disorder is more likely to be caused by those who are not participating or are unable to participate in the election.”

Asked if visa processing at the Bangladesh missions in India have been suspended, he responded in the positive. “We will reopen it when the time comes. For the next eight to ten days, it is better not to reopen it.”

All election observers coming from abroad will face some level of scrutiny but the government wants as many observers and journalists as possible.

“If anyone tries to come under the guise of election observation for some other purpose, the home ministry, along with the missions, will examine that. We want transparency. We have no reason to prevent journalists from coming.”

Asked about Bangladesh’s decision to issue passports to 69,000 Rohingyas, he said: “Due to our failures, many Rohingyas obtained Bangladeshi passports years ago -- handwritten passports, with many allegations of corruption. The situation now is that Saudi Arabia is insisting that those who already hold Bangladeshi passports be formally documented. We tried not to do this, but due to other national interests, we finally decided to issue passports.”

A passport does not mean citizenship, he said.

Any country can issue a passport to a non-citizen for specific purposes and there are many examples worldwide.

On the agreement between Bangladesh and China on setting up drone manufacturing plant, he said if Bangladesh decides in its own interest to set up a factory or industry with another country’s cooperation, it will do so independently.

“What others think does not matter.”