India closely watching Bangladesh developments

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) India today said it was closely watching the developments in Bangladesh and expressed the hope that the people and leaders of that country got every opportunity for full restoration of democracy through free and fair polls.

''We continue to watch developments in Bangladesh closely.

As a friendly neighbour, India is interested in a stable, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in response to a question.

He said it is India's hope that people of Bangladesh, their representatives and leaders were provided with every opportunity to take the country towards full democracy through peaceful polls.

''At this difficult time, it is our hope that the people of Bangladesh, their representatives, and their leaders will be afforded every lawful opportunity to take Bangladesh to the full restoration of democracy through peaceful, free and fair elections,'' the spokesman added.

Bangladesh, which is going to polls by the end of 2008, is at present being governed by a military-backed government since January.

Leader of the opposition Awami League and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been detained since July on corruption charges which her Party categorically denies.

She is among the high-profile political leaders who have been arrested ahead of the elections.

Her rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is also facing criminal charges over alleged tax evasion.

Both leaders allege that the present caretaker government had suspended all civil liberties in the country.

UNI