BNP skeptical of purpose of Hasina’s India trip

AL hopes bilateral issues would be resolved during PM’s visit

The Awami League (AL) and its alliance partners have termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to India very important in terms of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. They expect a significant progress in resolving all the outstanding bilateral problems, including Teesta water sharing, during the PM’s three-day visit to New Delhi that begins from April 7. Leaders of the BNP, however, remain sceptical about the outcomes of the visit. They say Hasina's visit to India has been planned to reach a consensus with that country so that her party could hang on to power for yet another term.
Some political leaders, who are not associated with AL-led 14-Party Alliance or BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, expect that the Prime Minister would not do anything that might go against the interests of the people.
AL presidium member Mohammed Nasim recently described the Prime Minister’s state visit to India as a very important and positive event in resolving all bilateral issues, including the sharing of Teesta water, through discussions. Describing India as a friendly neighbour, Nasim, who is also coordinator of the AL-led 14-Party Alliance, said Hasina's visit would strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. He mentioned that a number of problems, including border-related issues, have already been resolved through discussions.
“We also expect significant progress in resolving all outstanding issues this time around,” he added. BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain described the Teesta water sharing issue as a life-and-death problem for Bangladesh. He expressed hope that the PM’s visit would help resolve the problem and protect the interests of the country.
Terming the defence issue as “sensitive”, Hossain said it would not be proper for the government to sign any defence agreement with India while keeping the people in the dark.
The party's vice-chairman, Maj. (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, said Hasina's visit would not bear any fruit. "She (Hasina) has scheduled this visit to devise a way to assume power again in the next polls without voting," he added. “India will look after its interests, while Sheikh Hasina will only consider how she can be in power again,” he said.
He questioned the sincerity of India to resolve the sharing of water of common rivers, saying that basin countries of the Rhine in Europe and the Mekong in southeast Asia signed mutual agreements to protect their interests. "But India only cares about its own interests," he alleged. Hossain also alleged that India’s interests have been protected in all the agreements signed during the regime of the present government. “India will use our ports and we'll only give them love!” he said sarcastically.
GM Quader, vice-chairman of the Jatiya Party (Ershad), expressed optimism that the Prime Minister's visit would bring some positive outcomes. “We want to be optimistic… She (the PM) will talk for the country’s interests. It'll strengthen the bilateral relations,” he said.
Replying to a question, Quader said any agreement must be signed for the betterment of the common people and to uphold the friendly relations between the two countries.  
Anwar Hossain Manju, chairman of the Jatiya Party (JP), said Hasina's upcoming visit to India would play a significant role in resolving the outstanding issues.
“Since India is a big neighbour, we should work with a positive attitude and shun all kinds of negativity,” he added. Bangabir Kader Siddique, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League (BKSJL), however, said there would not be any significant progress on sharing of Teesta water during the PM’s visit to India. Siddique lauded the bold leadership of the Premier and expressed hope that she would not do anything that might go against the interests of the country. “Nothing can be resolved suddenly. There should not be any questionable agreement. We want to live as a good neighbour with India, but it should not behave like a big brother,” he said. The BKSJL leader said though India played a big role during the War of Liberation, the people of Bangladesh nurture a strong suspicion of India. He blamed the political leaders for brewing such distrust among people.
Mostafa Mohsin Montu, general secretary of the Gano Forum, said it is a major responsibility of India to resolve all outstanding problems, including Teesta water. “Interests of both sides should be maintained,” he added.
Maj. (retd) Abdul Mannan, general secretary of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, expects that the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which had resolved the Ganges water sharing problem with an agreement, would be able to resolve the Teesta water-sharing problem as well. “We want our fair share of water from all common rivers, including the Teesta. The Premier would be able to protect all of our interests,” he said. Dilip Barua, general secretary of the Bangladesh Sammoyabadi Dal, said he expected that the Premier would do whatever is necessary to uphold the national interest. “The Prime Minister's visit will play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations in coming days,” he observed.

 

BNP skeptical of purpose of Hasinas India trip

AL hopes bilateral issues would be resolved during PMs visit

The Awami League (AL) and its alliance partners have termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas upcoming visit to India very important in terms of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. They expect a significant progress in resolving all the outstanding bilateral problems, including Teesta water sharing, during the PMs three-day visit to New Delhi that begins from April 7. Leaders of the BNP, however, remain sceptical about the outcomes of the visit. They say Hasinas visit to India has been planned to reach a consensus with that country so that her party could hang on to power for yet another term. Some political leaders, who are not associated with AL-led 14-Party Alliance or BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, expect that the Prime Minister would not do anything that might go against the interests of the people. AL presidium member Mohammed Nasim recently described the Prime Ministers state visit to India as a very important and positive event in resolving all bilateral issues, including the sharing of Teesta water, through discussions. Describing India as a friendly neighbour, Nasim, who is also coordinator of the AL-led 14-Party Alliance, said Hasinas visit would strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. He mentioned that a number of problems, including border-related issues, have already been resolved through discussions. We also expect significant progress in resolving all outstanding issues this time around, he added. BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain described the Teesta water sharing issue as a life-and-death problem for Bangladesh. He expressed hope that the PMs visit would help resolve the problem and protect the interests of the country. Terming the defence issue as sensitive, Hossain said it would not be proper for the government to sign any defence agreement with India while keeping the people in the dark. The partys vice-chairman, Maj. (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, said Hasinas visit would not bear any fruit. She (Hasina) has scheduled this visit to devise a way to assume power again in the next polls without voting, he added. India will look after its interests, while Sheikh Hasina will only consider how she can be in power again, he said. He questioned the sincerity of India to resolve the sharing of water of common rivers, saying that basin countries of the Rhine in Europe and the Mekong in southeast Asia signed mutual agreements to protect their interests. But India only cares about its own interests, he alleged. Hossain also alleged that Indias interests have been protected in all the agreements signed during the regime of the present government. India will use our ports and well only give them love! he said sarcastically. GM Quader, vice-chairman of the Jatiya Party (Ershad), expressed optimism that the Prime Ministers visit would bring some positive outcomes. We want to be optimistic She (the PM) will talk for the countrys interests. Itll strengthen the bilateral relations, he said. Replying to a question, Quader said any agreement must be signed for the betterment of the common people and to uphold the friendly relations between the two countries. Anwar Hossain Manju, chairman of the Jatiya Party (JP), said Hasinas upcoming visit to India would play a significant role in resolving the outstanding issues. Since India is a big neighbour, we should work with a positive attitude and shun all kinds of negativity, he added. Bangabir Kader Siddique, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League (BKSJL), however, said there would not be any significant progress on sharing of Teesta water during the PMs visit to India. Siddique lauded the bold leadership of the Premier and expressed hope that she would not do anything that might go against the interests of the country. Nothing can be resolved suddenly. There should not be any questionable agreement. We want to live as a good neighbour with India, but it should not behave like a big brother, he said. The BKSJL leader said though India played a big role during the War of Liberation, the people of Bangladesh nurture a strong suspicion of India. He blamed the political leaders for brewing such distrust among people. Mostafa Mohsin Montu, general secretary of the Gano Forum, said it is a major responsibility of India to resolve all outstanding problems, including Teesta water. Interests of both sides should be maintained, he added. Maj. (retd) Abdul Mannan, general secretary of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, expects that the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which had resolved the Ganges water sharing problem with an agreement, would be able to resolve the Teesta water-sharing problem as well. We want our fair share of water from all common rivers, including the Teesta. The Premier would be able to protect all of our interests, he said. Dilip Barua, general secretary of the Bangladesh Sammoyabadi Dal, said he expected that the Premier would do whatever is necessary to uphold the national interest. The Prime Ministers visit will play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations in coming days, he observed.