Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to extend possible assistance to defuse tension in the region in the wake of mobilisation of troops by both India and Pakistan along the border. Bangladesh always wants resolution of the problem through constructive dialogue, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan told US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on Tuesday when asked about his country's stand on the Indo-Pak stand off.
Official BSS and private UNB news agencies quoted Khan as telling his host that Dhaka is also ready to extend assistance for defusing tension in the region. Khan stressed on greater American involvement in the area when he said that US role was crucial to de-escalate tension and promote dialogue in the region.
The foreign minister conveyed to the US official Dhaka's deep concern over the growing tension in South Asia and also suggested US role in establishing a nuclear restraint regime. Only two days ago, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's government, which includes pro-Pakistan Jamaat-E-Islami as partner in the four-party alliance administration, called for restraint between India and Pakistan.
The government also called for the two neighbours to resume constructive dialogue to resolve the current crisis. Bureau Report