'India, US engaged in efforts to end crisis in Bangladesh'

India and the US have reportedly been engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to end the standoff between the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP over Bangladesh's upcoming polls.
As the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stepped up efforts to pressure the Awami League government to accept its proposal for the polls to be overseen by a neutral caretaker government, US and Indian officials have reportedly met recently.
US Ambassador Dan is set to fly home tomorrow to brief the State Department on the situation.
Diplomatic sources said Mozena would inform higher-ups in the State Department about the outcome of his meetings with External Affairs Ministry officials.

The US and Indian missions were tight-lipped about the meetings.
BDnews24 portal quoted an unnamed External Affairs Ministry official as saying: "Our attention has been drawn to these reports (about meetings between Indian and US officials) and we find it very misleading." He did not clearly point out the differences.

The official said: "We are opposed to any foreign interference in Bangladesh and would rather let its people decide the future of the country through inclusive and peaceful elections that would strengthen Bangladesh's democracy."
Unnamed Indian diplomats in Dhaka reportedly told the portal that it was up to the US to decide its course of action in Bangladesh, and it would be unfair to suggest India was on the "same page".

BNP chief Khaleda Zia has rejected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's proposal for having a caretaker government with representatives of all political parties to oversee polls that are expected to be held by January 25 next year.
At least 20 people were killed in violence during a 60-hour nationwide shutdown called by the BNP-led opposition alliance to push its demand for a neutral caretaker set-up. The strike ended yesterday.