Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen Cancels His Visit To India After CAB Remark: Sources

After making remarks over Citizenship Amendment Bill, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India, say sources. He was scheduled to visit India from December 12-14.

Rejecting allegations that minorities face religious persecution in the country, he had said “There are a very few countries where communal harmony is as good as in Bangladesh.”

"India have many problems within their country. Let them fight among themselves. That does not bother us. As a friendly country, we hope that India will not do somethinWeg that affects our friendly relationship", Momin told reporters.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi made it clear that the Bill provides expedited consideration for Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities already in India from certain contiguous countries. The MEA statement added that every nation has the right to enumerate and validate its citizenry, and to exercise the prerogative through various policies.

Moreover, the United Nations on Wednesday refused to comment on the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha. When asked about the UN's response to the passage of the bill, Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "As far as I am aware, this legislation will go through a legislative process. We do not have a comment while the domestic legislative process is being carried out."