Such mistakes do happen,says Bangladesh on PM remarks

Singh's off-the-record remark that 25 per cent people of Bangladesh were anti-India had sparked controversy.

Bangladesh today sought to put a lid on the controversy sparked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent remarks about the country,saying there is no misunderstanding now and such mistakes do happen.

Such mistakes do happen. There is no scope for any misunderstanding now. We are looking forward to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told a group of Indian journalists here.

Her comments came when she was asked about Singh’s controversial off-the-record remarks that 25 per cent people of Bangladesh were anti-India. Singh’s remarks,made during an interaction with editors in Delhi last week,were put on the official transcript but were later deleted.

Story continues below this ad

In this context,Moni recalled that the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry had also committed a similar mistake by putting something on its official website and edited it out after two-three days.

Singh’s remarks had drawn sharp reactions from political parties in Bangladesh.

India then swung into damage-control mode announcing the date of Singh’s September 6-7 visit to Bangladesh. The Prime Minister also telephoned his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina,telling her that India accorded the highest importance to relations with this country.

Earlier,visiting External Affairs Minister S M Krishna,responding to a question on Singh’s remarks during a joint press interaction with Moni,said a clarification was issued by the Indian government and the Prime Minister had conveyed his tremendous affection and admiration for the people of Bangladesh.

Story continues below this ad

Krishna said during his 20-minute talk with Hasina,he conveyed to her Singh’s commitment to forge a strong partnership with Bangladesh and she said the people of Bangladesh are looking forward to the Indian Prime Minister’s visit.