Economy
India says absence of an aspect in one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation
Referring to the recent telephone conversation between Indian Prime Miister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, India has said the absence of an aspect in one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself.
“I am very much aware of the contents of the conversation between the Prime Minister and the President of the United States and I can tell you that our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation,” said official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question.
The MEA spokesperson made the remarks when a journalist drew his attention, noting that they saw the conversation between Prime Minister Modi and the US President Biden; but they also saw “discrepancies” in the readout and absence of certain topics in their readout during a regular briefing in New Delhi on Friday.
Firstly, he said, press releases issued after conversations between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon.
Secondly, the spokesperson said such press releases are not meant to be comprehensive readouts of such conversations.
Finally, he said it is not unusual for two sides to emphasize different aspects of the same conversation in their respective readouts.
“The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted, as you pointed out, by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both the leaders,” said the MEA spokesperson.
He said they have seen that there have been some comments in that regard. “Let me tell you, these claims are uninformed, tendentious, and motivated and betray a total lack of familiarity with the process of how such contacts between leaders are organized and then followed upon.”
According to the Indian Prime Minister’s office, US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday discussed the situation in Bangladesh. The two leaders stressed the need for early restoration of normalcy and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh.
“I reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability,” Modi said. The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh.
The White House, however, avoided Bangladesh issues in its readout, though the Indian side, through their Prime Minister’s Office, had said Biden and Modi discussed the situation in Bangladesh as well as other issues.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
