Dhaka, Feb 24 (PTI) Bangladesh wants good working relations with India based on mutual respect and shared interests, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said on Monday.

Hossain made the remarks while responding to a question on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent remarks on bilateral relations between the two countries.

Also Read | Makeup Training for Male Cadets in Japan: Japanese Police Academy Introduces Makeup Application for Grooming and Confidence.

"Of course, Bangladesh will determine its stance. But at the same time, India also needs to decide what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh. This is a mutual matter, and there is nothing wrong in stating that,” Hossain was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency.

He said that Bangladesh has a clear stance on its relations with India, emphasising the importance of a good working relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Also Read | Bangladesh: 1 Killed, Several Injured in Clash Between Residents and Security Personnel at Airbase in Cox's Bazar (Watch Videos).

“We want a relationship built on mutual understanding, and there is no ambiguity in our position,” he told reporters.

Hossain also criticised ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's statements during her stay in India, saying that her remarks were detrimental to Dhaka-Delhi relations.

“If we want to improve ties, then a former prime minister making various statements while enjoying Indian hospitality only fuels tensions. It is widely recognized that her remarks are adding fuel to the fire,” he asserted.

He also said that Bangladesh's minority issue cannot be India's concern.

"Bangladesh's minorities are Bangladesh's issue, just as how India treats its minorities is India's concern," Hossain was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

"Therefore, I believe the policy of non-interference should be followed. We are looking after the issue of minorities. They are citizens of Bangladesh. They have the same rights as I do, and the government will try to ensure those rights," he added.

Hossain and Jaishankar recently met on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in the Omani capital Muscat.

During their meeting, Jaishankar conveyed that Bangladesh "should not normalise terrorism".

Bangladesh and India share over 4,000 km long international border. PTI

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)