Foreign Ministry Backs Decision Not to Participate India World Cup

Bangladesh has decided not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said yesterday.

Speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry,  the Interim Adiviros, Touhid said the decision was taken jointly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the exclusion of national cricketer Mustafizur Rahman and growing concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi players and supporters.

He noted that sending the national team would not involve only the players, as a large number of Bangladeshi fans would also travel to attend the matches. Ensuring their safety, he said, would be difficult amid ongoing anti-Bangladesh activities and hostile rhetoric by certain Hindutva groups in India.

“How can we be assured that not only the team but also the supporters will remain safe?” Touhid asked.

The adviser said he fully supported the earlier position expressed by Adviser Asif Nazrul, explaining that while an individual sportsperson might travel for a short period, hosting an entire national team and its supporters posed broader security challenges.

Given the current situation, Touhid said it would be unrealistic to expect Indian authorities to guarantee adequate security. “Considering all factors, we have decided that Bangladesh will play the tournament, but outside India,” he added.

Responding to questions about Bangladesh’s continued import of rice and oil from India despite the decision, Touhid said the government would not act against its own national interests. He stressed that trade decisions would be based on economic necessity, while the safety of Bangladeshi citizens remained the top priority.

“If importing rice benefits the country, especially when it is available at a lower price and needed, there is no reason not to do so,” he said.

Touhid also confirmed that visa services remain temporarily suspended at three Bangladeshi mission offices in India due to security considerations.

Addressing reports about the possible purchase of fighter aircraft from Pakistan, he said discussions on the issue are still ongoing.

The foreign affairs adviser further informed reporters that he is scheduled to leave Dhaka tomorrwo to attend a multilateral forum in Saudi Arabia.