India has said the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla is an internal matter of Bangladesh, even as it expressed hope that the political parties will resolve their differences through dialogue in a violence-free atmosphere.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs of the Indian Government, Syed Akbaruddin, said on Friday the execution of the death sentence awarded to the Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami was “an outcome of the internal judicial process of Bangladesh”.
A member of the dreaded Al-Badr militia during the 1971 war, Mollah was notorious as ‘Butcher of Mirpur’ for committing large-scale massacres of pro-independence activists at Mirpur in Dhaka. He was executed on Thursday.
Akbaruddin said India’s approach in its relation with Bangladesh was guided by principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, respect for each other’s sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
“Our relations with Bangladesh are broad based and inclusive. India has and always will respect the wishes of the people of Bangladesh.
“It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future. We have deep respect for their wisdom and achievements,” said Akbaruddin.
New Delhi made its position clear after Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia on Thursday asked India to ‘respect the aspirations of the majority in Bangladesh’.
“I call upon our influential neighbouring country India and its people to express their solidarity with the feelings and expectation of the majority people of Bangladesh as the rest of the world community has done,” Khaleda said in the statement.
But spokesperson Akbaruddin added India hoped that people of Bangladesh would resolve their differences through dialogue and peaceful means in an atmosphere free of violence.
He also confirmed that prevailing situation in Bangladesh was discussed when Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh called on US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Source: Bd news24