Syed Muazzem Ali

Many parties say a lot during election campaigns, although it loses significance after the votes are cast.

Syed Moazzem Ali (July 18, 1944 – December 30, 2019) was a Bangladeshi foreign service officer and a diplomat during his career. He served as the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh. He played a role in gaining international recognition for the Language Movement as International Mother Language Day.

Quotes

• Many parties say a lot during election campaigns, although it loses significance after the votes are cast.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• The more communication there is between people, the closer the two countries will become. The collaboration in all areas will increase as well.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• Tigers eat people, that's true, right? Yes, of course. So what's the point of whether this tiger ate a person or not? What can I say, I sat there looking foolish. Uncle said, "Listen, young man and woman fall in love, just as that’s true, this story is just as true! But since you’re a fool, let me explain. While I was in Kabul, I had an acquaintance with a Kabul woman. She used to bring milk to my house every morning. She was 80 years old!" Maybe uncle added this extra detail just to dispel my surprise, "Nephew, increase your imagination, increase it!"
  • Uncle Syed Mujtaba Ali in a conversation

• Border management is a very complex issue. Yet, both countries are trying to bring the death toll down to zero. Regarding BNP leader Salah Uddin's infiltration into India, he said, the matter is currently in court. After the court's decision, arrangements will be made to bring him back to the country.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali, at the Meet the Press event at the Foreign Press Club in New Delhi

• ‘In 2011, during the visit of India's then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka, the signing of the Teesta water-sharing agreement was supposed to happen. However, due to objections from the West Bengal government, the agreement didn’t take place. Over the last four years, the Indian central government has negotiated with the West Bengal government and we believe they have reached an understanding. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is traveling with Prime Minister Modi to Bangladesh. So, we are very optimistic about the signing of this agreement. Even if it is not signed during this visit, there will be positive discussions on this issue, and both countries will take one step forward towards a speedy signing of the agreement.’
  • Syed Moazzem Ali, at the Meet the Press event at the Foreign Press Club in New Delhi

• Bangladesh believes that after the elections in India’s five states, the relationship between the two countries will strengthen. The deadlock over the Teesta agreement will soon be resolved.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• My country's people will swim to Italy but not to India. A Bangladeshi will go to a country where they can earn much more. India's per capita income is not high.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• Bangladesh's economic growth, focusing on economic prosperity and human resource development, has been praised by economists such as Amartya Sen.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• India and Bangladesh are capable of resolving any issue between them through discussions.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• India is well aware of how effective this government has been in maintaining stability in its southeastern states. And that is why a strong bond of trust has been formed between the two countries.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• India and Bangladesh are currently in a mutually beneficial relationship. India relies on Bangladesh for the development of its southeastern region and is accepting a transit corridor through Bangladesh. Similarly, Bangladesh depends on India's electricity supply to keep its economic development moving forward.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• After China, Mexico and Canada are the leading neighbors in terms of trade relations with the United States. So why can’t Bangladesh, with the fastest growing economy in the world, become India's top trading partner?
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• We want to establish a relationship with India by leaving behind the bitter history of partition and embracing the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, and walk together on the path of development.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• Bangladesh has no comment on India’s internal matters, such as Kashmir and the Babri Masjid.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

• Bangladesh is facing the threat of extremism. Therefore, India’s assistance is required to strengthen secularism and the spirit of 1971.
  • Syed Moazzem Ali

Quotes about Him

• The nation lost a patriotic and skilled diplomat with the death of Syed Moazzem Ali, an esteemed alumnus of the university. The nation will forever remember his contributions with respect.
  • Professor Dr. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University

• "With the death of Syed Moazzem Ali, Bangladesh has lost a skilled diplomat. His passing is an irreplaceable loss to the country's diplomatic world."
  • Former President Abdul Hamid

• ‘Moazzem Ali was a friend of India, an excellent diplomat, and a humanitarian person.’
  • Former Indian diplomat and Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale

• India's friends will always miss him. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is deeply saddened by his death.
  • Former Indian diplomat and Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale