Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his visit to India. He was scheduled to visit India from December 12-14. This comes amid Bangladesh raising strong objections against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

According to sources, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has cancelled his India visit between December 12 and December 14.

The Bangladeshi minister was to arrive in India on Thursday evening for the Indian Ocean meet and Delhi Dialogue.

ANI quoted the minister as saying, “I had to cancel my trip to New Delhi as I have to participate in the ‘Buddijibi Debosh’ and ‘Bijoy Debosh’ and more so as our State Minister is out of the country in Madrid and our Foreign Secretary is in the Hague.”

He added, “Given the increasing demand at home, I have decided to cancel the visit. However, I am looking forward to attending the next meeting in January. I am sending our DG to attend the event.”

On Wednesday, A K 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, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.

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

The minister also said that Bangladesh and India are currently enjoying close friendly relations “that is termed as “golden chapter” of bilateral ties and “so, naturally our people (Bangladeshis) expect that India won’t do anything that could create anxiety among them”.

Momen termed as “untrue” the allegations of minority repression in Bangladesh by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, saying “whoever gave them the information, it is not correct”.

Momen said Bangladesh maintains strong religion harmony and ensures that followers of all faiths enjoy same rights in every area.

The Bangladesh minister said during his talks earlier on Thursday with US ambassador in Dhaka Earl R Miller, the envoy expressed America’s concern about the CAB.

(With inputs from agencies)