New Delhi, India (BBN)-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed concern over the BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi's statement that Bangladeshi infiltrators in India must go back to their country, terming the comment as unnecessary and unwarranted.
Such statements do not contribute to bilateral ties and could spoil relations between the future Indian government and Bangladeshi citizens, Hasina said in a meeting at the prime minister's office on Monday, a person familiar with the matter told The Economic Times over the phone from Dhaka.
Narendra Modi's statement could strengthen the anti-India extremist groups in Bangladesh and the minorities in the country could face the ire of these groups, a Dhaka-based official said on the condition of anonymity.
However, the Bangladesh government did not issue any official reaction to Narendra Modi's statement.
The Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi also declined to comment on the matter.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been a close friend of India in the subcontinent, returned to power for a second successive term earlier this year and was welcomed by India despite international criticism of the election process.
Modi on Sunday said that Bangladeshi infiltrators allowed in India for "vote-bank politics" would have to go back while the refugees thrown out of Bangladesh on religious grounds would be greeted with open arms. He had earlier spoken on the issue in Assam as well as West Bengal during campaigning.
Along with the ruling Bangladesh Awami League's members who favour strong relations with India, various members of Bangladesh's civil society are also worried over Modi's stand.
Thousands of Bangladeshis travel to India every year for medical tourism, sightseeing and education.
India-Bangladesh ties had touched a low during Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami rule during 2001-06.
Bangladesh territory was used by anti-India terrorist groups to launch an attack against India during that period.
Hasina's return to power in 2009 boosted ties and she handed over insurgents and terrorists to Delhi.
Her government also cracked down on terrorist cells and infrastructure. India reciprocated by sanctioning several development and infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
In January, India garnered international support for the newly re-elected Hasina's government.
BBN/ANS/AD/06May14-1:30pm (BST)
