Bangladesh wants lasting peace in Afghanistan: Shahriar

People try to get into Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 16, 2021. REUTERS-Stringer via Microsoft News. © Thomson Reuters

Dhaka, Aug. 17 -- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh wants to see lasting peace in Afghanistan that has gone through many ups and downs, noting that the current situation has an impact on South Asian politics.
He said Bangladesh expects that there will be no black chapter in like past but people's rights will be established.
The State Minister said Bangladesh will decide the nature of its relations with Afghanistan observing the situation closely and considering how things move ahead.
"We're ready to help Afghanistan when we feel that there's a stable government in place with people's mandate," he told reporters on Monday.
The State Minister said things are still premature as the situation is evolving and Bangladesh cannot welcome it until there is a permanent government. "We'll extend our helping hand timely."
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar said the Prime Minister repeatedly talked about regional peace and prosperity.
He said South Asia's potential and opportunity remained unexplored for a long time and Bangladesh wants to see that peace is restored in Afghanistan.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Bangladesh is carefully observing the fast evolving situation in Afghanistan, which, Bangladesh believes, may have an impact on the region and beyond.
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"We urge all stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm ensuring safety and security of all including foreign nationals," said the Ministry in a statement.
Bangladesh said it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural linkages. It is a fellow member of SAARC and an integral part of South Asia.
Bangladesh recalled the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
"Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan for fulfilling the visionary policy of the Prime Minister that the region must grow and prosper together for this development to be sustainable," the statement reads.
Bangladesh believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country.
In this regard, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan.
"We stand ready to share our best practices with Afghanistan in a range of areas, such as basic education, community healthcare, sanitation, human resources development, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster management and ICT enabled public service delivery," said the Ministry.
Bangladesh firmly believes that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves.
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Bangladesh wishes to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community. - UNB