Prannoy Verma, the Indian High Commissioner posted in Dhaka, commented that the people of India and Bangladesh are key stakeholders in a stable, positive and constructive relationship.

He said this at a press conference organized by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Sunday (November 17). This press conference was organized on the occasion of 'Bay of Bengal Conversation 2024'.

Highlighting the importance of India-Bangladesh relations, the High Commissioner said that India has a long-term vision in relation to Bangladesh and believes that the peace, security, progress and prosperity of these two countries are interlinked.

He emphasized the continued progress of trade, transport and energy connectivity and people-to-people engagement as a reflection of multilateral relations, where the reality of our interdependence and mutual well-being will continue to reassert itself regardless of political changes.

The Indian High Commissioner cited the initiation of 40 MW power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid this month alone and infrastructure expansion of the Petrapole-Benapole integrated check post as examples of continued progress in bilateral exchanges. He described the Indo-Bangladesh cooperation as an anchor in regional integration plans under frameworks like BIMSTEC.

The High Commissioner pledged to work together with the Government and people of Bangladesh to fulfill our common aspirations for peace, security and development and to ensure mutual benefit to both sides through partnership.

A two-phase Bishwa Ijtema is starting in Tongi, Gazipur on January 31. The first phase will start from January 31 to February 2 and the second phase will start from January 7 to February 9.

A notification from the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the first phase will be under Shurai Nejam from January 31 to February 2 and the second phase will be under Saad supporters from February 7 to 9.

In this regard, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that Bishwa Ijtema has been playing a significant role in brightening the country's image in the outside world for a long time. The organization of this Bishwa Ijtema must be made more beautiful and glorious by utilizing past experience.

He said that the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema will be organized by Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh (Shurai Nejam) from January 31 to February 2, and the second phase of the Bishwa Ijtema will be organized by the followers of Maulana Saad from February 7-9.

Regarding the handover of the Bishwa Ijtema ground, he said that the organizers of the first phase will hand over the Ijtema ground to the Bishwa Ijtema Ground Preparation Committee formed under the leadership of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner by 3 pm on February 4. The organizers of the second phase will take possession of the Ijtema ground from the committee on the afternoon of February 4 and will hand over the ground to the committee after the Ijtema on February 11.

In addition, a committee has been formed to oversee the preparation of the Bishwa Ijtema ground, maintenance of law and order, and overall activities, the release said.

The interim government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, formed through a mass uprising of students and the public, completed 100 days on November 15. During this period, the press secretary of the chief adviser, Shafiqul Islam, highlighted the government's successes and progress in work.

Recently, the press secretary posted a status on his verified Facebook page in this regard. There, he highlighted the government's 100-day success as well as detailed information about the work being done.

The Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5 in the face of a mass uprising of students. Then, on August 8, the interim government under the leadership of Nobel laureate Professor Yunus took office. Shafiqul Islam highlighted the main successes after the completion of 100 days of the interim government.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that lakhs of people would die if Sheikh Hasina was removed from power. But in reality, nothing much happened even after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a massive mass uprising. The interim government, with the help of political parties and the student community, was able to restore order in the country in the first few weeks of August. The police were virtually absent during this period. The government has been successful in maintaining a stable law and order situation.

Accountability and justice for the July-August massacre

The interim government invited a UN-led fact-finding mission to investigate the July-August massacre. It will operate completely independently. The mission is expected to submit its first report early next month.

The country-established International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is also investigating the massacre. Hasina and her associates have been charged with murder. The challenge is to bring the trial up to international standards so that international human rights groups cannot question its verdict—as was the case with the ICT verdicts of 2013-2016.

The interim government has announced a grant of Tk. 30 lakh for the families of the martyrs, ensured free treatment for the injured, and set up a fund to support the families of the martyrs.

Economic recovery

The economy was on the verge of collapse when the interim government took power. The government restored foreign exchange reserves within 100 days. Billion of dollars in international payment obligations were met without touching the reserves. Exports have turned around—exports grew by 7 percent in September and more than 20 percent in October. The banking sector has stabilized. The country’s best economists have been appointed to revive the economy and they have done a commendable job.

Reform roadmap

Ten reform commissions have been formed so far. The important commissions will submit their reports by December 31. A consensus will be built on these reports in consultation with political parties. The interim government will then announce the election date.

Along with the preparations, the election process has begun. A search committee has been formed to find a new and acceptable Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners. After the election commission is formed, it will start the work of preparing the voter list.

Widespread international support

Professor Yunus has received unprecedented support from almost all countries for the interim government and its reform initiatives. He has been feted like a rock star at the biggest global conferences of the year in New York and Baku. Multilateral and bilateral development agencies have pledged more than 8 billion dollars in loans. Despite widespread confusion in some quarters, the world knows the truth and the truth has triumphed.

Zero corruption

There has been no corruption case against the interim government or its advisers or officials so far.

Efficient and peaceful management of unrest and crisis

The biggest challenge for the interim government has been to meet expectations. Various groups have taken to the streets with demands and have expressed sudden anger. The government has so far dealt with the protests through dialogue. There has been little use of force to quell the protests.

There has been unrest in the garment sector. Some politically connected factory owners have gone rogue, forcing the government to deal with crises on a daily basis. However, the government has shown the utmost restraint in ending the unrest. Problems still remain in some places, but they have not affected export activities.

Handling severe floods and price hikes of daily necessities

The interim government has skillfully handled several devastating floods and price hikes of daily necessities, mainly due to natural disasters. The protests of Ansar members have been dealt with peacefully, without causing any problems. In addition, a new Rohingya crisis has been handled so quietly that no one could understand it.

New direction in foreign policy

Professor Yunus has repeatedly called for the revival of SAARC. He has asked Bangladesh to take active steps to gain ASEAN membership. According to him, Bangladesh wants India as a friend, but the relationship must be based on fairness and equality. The resettlement of Rohingyas to third countries has been accelerated, which will help reduce the pressure on the refugee camps. He has called for a new UN-led conference to give a new direction to the Rohingya crisis.

Cultural revival

In the last 100 days, an unprecedented debate has begun in our society. From madrasa student to urban elite, from feminist to Rightists group to degenerate—everyone is participating in this debate. New seminars and discussions are being organized every day. History is being analyzed from new perspectives. Thoughts are being deeply shared and discussed. Young stars have announced their arrival on the national stage. Old stars are struggling to maintain their relevance.

Next February, we will see some of the best books that can form the basis for a deep discussion about the structure of our society.

A total of 14 people, including former ministers, advisers, retired judges and former secretaries of the Awami League government, are being taken to the International Crimes Tribunal in a case of involvement in genocide during the anti-discrimination student-public movement.

They will be taken to the tribunal on Monday (November 18) after being arrested in a case of crimes against humanity.

The tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed the matter. He said that in addition to the appearance of the accused, the progress of the investigation into the genocide will be informed tomorrow. In the meantime, the investigation agency has informed the prosecution about the progress of their activities. They will ask the court for more time to submit the report.

Regarding the red alert notice to bring Sheikh Hasina back, he said that he has already written to the IGP in this regard. The government will decide on this matter.

The Chief Prosecutor also said that if the accused has a lawyer, they can also come. Any representative of the accuser’s family can also come.

Security will be tight at the tribunal for this reason.

The July genocide trial will begin on Monday in a three-member tribunal led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder.