Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said the government is not under any geopolitical pressure or tension. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a regular briefing at the Information Department conference room in the Secretariat, responding to journalists’ questions about recent developments involving a US special envoy, India’s high commissioner and reports concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Rahman said he had met the Indian high commissioner, who then returned to India. Addressing claims that the US special envoy had travelled directly from Bangladesh to India, he said the official is the ambassador posted in India and also has additional responsibilities. He said the government was not officially informed about whom the envoy met privately and therefore would not comment.

On a possible August 5 statement by Sheikh Hasina, Rahman referred to the home minister’s previous assertion that the banned party has no capacity. He said some people still support the Awami League and that its beneficiaries remain in various places, including the administration. However, he said the party lacks the moral strength needed to run an organisation.