Strategic ties with India, China guided by mutual benefit: Bangladesh minister

Bangladesh's strategic relationships with major powers, including India, China and Russia, will be guided by mutual benefit and welfare of citizens, state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam said and stressed Dhaka does not need to choose between Saarc and Bimstec.These platforms - Saarc and Bimstec - should complement each other and not compete with one another, Obaed said Monday, ahead of Bimstec national security advisors meet in Delhi on July 16, which among other issues, will discuss progress in terms of regional security cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region. She said sub-regional initiatives should not drain momentum away from Saarc, rather, they should become building blocks for wider regional cooperation.On Saturday, Islam had emphasised, "Bangladesh believes any differences with India should be resolved through dialogue", and stressed on the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement with New Delhi for border management, and address trade imbalances and water-sharing issues.