NEW DELHI, Nov 2, 2022 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has attached importance on the role of media for further strengthening Bangladesh-India ties as media can promote friendship, people to people exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Our respective media can contribute to forging the partnership further between our two countries by enhancing appreciation and understanding of each other's standpoints and core interests," he said.

The minister made the remarks while making a statement at a function styled "Media Interaction with Dr Hasan Mahmud" at the Press Club of India (PCI) here yesterday evening.

Press Club Secretary General Vinoy Kumar and its President Umakant Lakhera also spoke on the occasion while former president of PCI Gautam Lahiri moderated the session.
Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi Nural Islam and Minister (Press) Shaban Mahmud also present on the occasion.

In his initial statement, Hasan Mahmud also touched upon many aspects including the present India-Bangladesh ties, which reached a newer height during the Hasina-Modi tenure, India's support during the Corona pandemic and Indian support during Bangladesh's 1971 War of Liberation.

Referring to Bangladesh progress, he said Bangladesh's progress could not be possible at such level without political stability and support from India.

The minister after arriving the club premises, straight went to the "Bangabandhu Media Centre" set up in the first floor of the club and placed floral wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a mark of respect to the greatest son of the soil.

Later, the minister answered a volume of media queries on different bilateral and multi-lateral issues and on Hindu Community in Bangladesh as well.

Responding to a query, the minister objected the word of "minority" saying, "We in Bangladesh don't believe in Hindus as minority as they have the equal rights in Bangladesh as per its constitution.

"Our prime minister says don't use the word of minority as people belonging to any other religion are the sons of the soil and they have equal rights in our constitution," he said.

The minister, who is one of the senior leaders of ruling Awami League, said of course there in Bangladesh and India have some fanatic groups, but the Bangladesh government during the last few years had been taking toughest actions against the groups.

In this connection, he referred to the recently celebration of Durga Puja, the greatest festival of Hindu Community, saying the Hindus have celebrated the puja in more mandaps across the country as the government has ensured safety and security of the Hindu community.

"This year, puja was celebrated in 700 more mandaps than that of previous year across the country.

 But there was no any such report of untoward incident from any places," he added.

Mentioning Bangladesh as an example of communal harmony, he said that media can play a crucial role to maintain communal harmony. In this regard, he referred to the irresponsible role of some social media platforms to carry out exaggerated reports on this issue to destabilize communal harmony.

Responding to another query, Hasan Mahmud stressed on ensuring regional stability for progress and prosperity of the region. "Regional stability is important for the progress of the region as a whole...political stability is also pre-requisite for progress of any country," he said.

In this connection, he said India has a crucial role to play in ensuring regional stability that is essential for progress and prosperity of the region.

On the much-talked about cross-border Teesta river Water Sharing Agreement, he said bilateral relationship does not resolve only around this issue.

"The relationship between Bangladesh and India is very diverse and it does not depend only on the Teesta Water Sharing as we are sharing many things," he added.

The minister said Bangladesh and India are engaged in resolving the issue (Teesta) and there has been progress although there are some obligations and procedures in Indian constitution.

 "After following all procedures, the issue would be resolved in future," he hoped.

Responding to another question, he described India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an India's internal matter.

 "Since an appeal has been submitted in India's Supreme Court that has also become a legal Issue. So, we should not comment on this," he added.

About the trade gap between Bangladesh and India, the minister underlined the need for working together to take efforts for minimizing the gap for the betterment of the two countries.