(Image source from: newsnation.in)

AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh was scheduled to visit India from December 12-14 for the Indian Ocean meet and Delhi Dialogue which he canceled as this comes in the middle of Bangladesh raising strong objections against the Citizenship Bill that was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

AK Abdul Momen said “the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill could weaken India’s historic character as a secular nation and rejected the allegations that the minorities are facing religious persecution in his country.”

According to the legislation, the non-Muslim communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, till December 31, 2014 and are facing religious persecution there, will be given Indian citizenship and not treat them as illegal immigrants.

"India is historically a tolerant country which believes in secularism (but) their historic position will be weakened if they deviate from that," said Momen.

The minister said that close friendly relations exists between Bangladesh and India which is termed as “golden chapter” of the bilateral ties and “so, naturally our people (Bangladeshis) expect that India wont do anything that would create anxiety among them.”

Momen said that Bangladesh ensures that the followers of all religions enjoy the same rights in all the areas maintaining strong religion harmony.

By Shrithika Kushangi