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Another container ship from Pakistan carrying unknown items has reached Bangladesh’s Chittagong port.
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government is seen drawing closer to Pakistan. (IMAGE: REUTERS/REPRESENTATIVE)
A second container ship from Pakistan, carrying items yet to be disclosed, has docked in Bangladesh’s Chittagong port, The Economic Times said. The report also said Bangladeshi traders are being forced to import from Pakistan.
The timing of the shipment is also worth noting as it comes a day after interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The report, citing Chittagong port authorities, said that the ship carried 1,000 containers. Earlier in November, another container ship from Pakistan reached Bangladesh’s shores, marking the first time a container ship from the nation that it freed itself from (with India’s help) in 1971 came to the country.
Indian officials speaking to the news outlet said it is necessary to keep an eye out for the ships arriving from Pakistan as they may contain equipment meant for terror and insurgent groups.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday said it has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a move that may further strain ties between the two countries.
India confirmed receiving the ‘note verbale’, or diplomatic communication, from the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi but refrained from making any comment on it.
Bangladesh’s de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain said Dhaka wants Hasina back to face the judicial process.
“We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process,” Hossain told reporters in Dhaka.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We confirm that we have received a Note Verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission today in connection with an extradition request.”
“At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” he said in response to a question.
Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime.
- Location :
Dhaka, Bangladesh