Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina chooses the enemy when asked about India, China

Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina is known to be a leader who is close to India. However, at the same time, her country also faces the challenge of tackling China's growing influence in South Asia.

The veteran leader, who has been serving as the premier since 2009, spoke to Asian News International ahead of her state visit to India which kicked off on Monday (5). There, she spoke about her country's balancing act when it comes to diplomacy with India and China. The Awami League leader said Bangladesh's foreign policy is "friendship to all, malice to none". She also said that the focus should be on bettering the lives of people and that nations have only one common enemy -- poverty.

Hasina, who will turn 75 later this month, recalled the role her late father Sheikh Mujibar Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, had played in shaping Dhaka's foreign policy.

"Our foreign policy is very clear. Friendship to all, malice to none, which my father, father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he uttered in his address in UNO. And we follow his ideology," Hasina said, adding, “And my point is that we should focus on our people. How to give them a better life? How to improve their life? And I am always saying that we have only one enemy. That is poverty. So let us work together."

Hasina also stressed that the leading countries should address disputes and differences through dialogue and that Dhaka will not interfere with issues pertaining to India-China ties.

"And I always feel that yes, if there is any problem which is between China and India but I don't want to put my nose to that. I want development of my country and because India is our next-door neighbour, we have very good relationship. We had many bilateral problems, it's true, but we solve many problems... you know that," she said.

Hasina also said that the priority for Bangladesh was development and the country was okay with taking any country's help that could help in betterment for its people.

On Rohingya refugees, the Bangladesh prime minister said that Bangladesh is reaching out to the international community to ensure they return to Myanmar, adding that she feels New Delhi is capable of playing a major role in resolving the issue.