Dhaka, Aug. 7 -- Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said relations between Bangladesh and India face challenges because India has chosen to extend "protection to a criminal" who bears responsibility for ordering the murders of Bangladeshi citizens.

"This fundamental fact cannot be erased through misrepresentation or editorial flourish," he said, while responding to an article ran by the Telegraph India.

Alam said the interim government of Bangladesh remains committed to "restoring democracy, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring justice" for the victims of past crimes.

"We expect that serious news outlets will engage with these realities responsibly, rather than indulging in inflammatory comparisons and baseles...