Bangladesh minister to skip Raisina talks as NRC, CAA become fresh irritants in ties

Dhaka has expressed concern over comments by senior Indian leaders over the deportation of illegal citizens in recent months and the issues of the NRC and CAA have become fresh irritants in relations.

Bangladesh deputy foreign minister Shahriar Alam has dropped out of the Raisina Dialogue in the wake of controversy over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) issues, people familiar with developments said on Friday.

Bangladesh deputy foreign minister Shahriar Alam has dropped out of the Raisina Dialogue in the wake a controversy over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) issues (ANI File Photo/Twitter)

Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, who was also expected to attend Raisina Dialogue, is not coming as well.

Dhaka has expressed concern over comments by senior Indian leaders over the deportation of illegal citizens in recent months and the issues of the NRC and CAA have become fresh irritants in relations. “The Bangladeshi deputy foreign minister is expected to skip the Raisina Dialogue,” said a person who declined to be identified.

The Bangladesh’s ministry of foreign affairs said that foreign minister Md Shahriar Alam was invited as a speaker in the Raisina Dialouge but the minister could not be present as his visit coincides with his visit to the UAE to accompany the PM.

The statement further said that a regret letter has already been communicated with Overseas Research Foundation (ORF), which is organising the dialogue. There was no bilateral engagement scheduled during the visit, the statement added.