Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India will wait for the outcome of the ongoing Bangladesh elections, and then access the mandate and discuss issues with the neighboring country.
Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The elections are going on in Bangladesh. We should wait for the outcome of the elections to see what sort of mandate has come out, and thereafter, we will look at issues that are there. On the election per se, you know what our position has been. We stand for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh.”
Jaiswal stated that India chose not to depute any election observers to Bangladesh, despite receiving an invitation.
He said, “We did receive an invitation to send observers, but we have not sent our observers to Bangladesh to monitor the elections.”
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Jaiswal reiterated India’s stand on the polls in Bangladesh, saying that New Delhi had always stood for “free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections” in the neighbouring country.
India’s relationship with Bangladesh is one of its most critical bilateral partnerships, involving deep ties in security, connectivity, and trade. By waiting for the final mandate before addressing “issues that are there,” India is preparing to work with whoever emerges victorious, while subtly acknowledging that the inclusivity and fairness of the process will dictate the tone of future diplomacy.
Meanwhile, polling has concluded in Bangladesh, with a voter turnout of 47.91% till 2pm, and vote counting is currently underway, reports said.
