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Back accusations with evidence, Bangladesh tells India

Describing as 'unfortunate' the statement made by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha in Parliament on Wednesday, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said such statements went against the 'spirit of good neighbourliness'.

Sinha had noted that the ISI was active in Bangladesh and the Pakistani high commission in the country had become the 'nerve centre' of its activities.

But Chowdhury said he was 'seriously disappointed' by the remark as Bangladesh always seeks good ties with its neighbours. "We are not aware of any diplomatic mission in Dhaka doing anything inconsistent to diplomatic norms. We strongly feel that the allegations should be backed by credible and hard evidence," he said.

Asked about the series of allegations made by Indian leaders against Bangladesh, the foreign secretary said, "It remains to be analysed why this pattern [of allegations] is emerging. The motive behind this evolving pattern needs careful study."

He dismissed suggestions that a neutral party verify the allegations made by India saying New Delhi and Dhaka are mature enough to resolve their differences without outside interference.

Asked about the reported standoff between border forces of the two countries at Satkhira-Shamshedpur, Chowdhury said there is no clash at that point and it's not a matter of any concern.

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