New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) India today dismissed Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohd Yunus’ comments on "Indian hegemony", terming it as an exercise in "deflection" from his country's challenges.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, answering a question on the issue, said at a briefing:

“Your question was about some statements that have come out recently regarding Bangladesh. So, as far as the government there is concerned, it is their personal responsibility to handle any governmental or governance-related issues or problems there.

“When statements of this sort came it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance there — and to blame others by saying that these extraneous issues caused by others are the reason for these problems — does not solve the issue.”

The spokesperson’s remarks come after Yunus reportedly made this remark during a meeting with political parties on May 25.

After that meeting on Sunday, Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna had said, "The chief adviser has said that due to Indian hegemony, the country is facing a major crisis. Therefore, he believes that the entire nation needs to be united."

The MEA spokesperson also said, referring to previous reports of the CA offering to resign:

“On developments in Bangladesh, you know as far as our approach is concerned … and we remain ... I would like to underline once again that we ... look at how we have approached our issues, our relationship with Bangladesh.

“We want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one that is anchored in meeting the aspirations and the interest of people of both sides. So that is how I would look at your question.”

UNI RN