Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has asserted that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are completely internal matters of India. He emphasized that Bangladesh does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The statement came during a press briefing in Dhaka, where Khan addressed questions regarding the potential impact of these policies on Bangladesh.
Background of CAA and NRC
The CAA, passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, grants citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The NRC, initially implemented in Assam, aims to identify illegal immigrants. Both measures have sparked debates and protests in India, with critics arguing they are discriminatory against Muslims.
Bangladesh's Stance
Khan reiterated that Bangladesh maintains a policy of non-interference. He added that the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh remains strong, and such domestic policies do not affect their ties. The minister also noted that Bangladesh has its own laws to address citizenship and immigration issues.
The remarks come amid concerns from some quarters that the CAA and NRC could lead to a refugee crisis or strain relations between the two neighbors. However, Khan dismissed such fears, stating that the two countries have robust mechanisms to handle any cross-border issues.
