DHAKA: Claiming that her India tour is fruitful, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her state-tour to the neighboring has opened the door of cooperation for both the countries.
In response to criticism about selling out the country, the PM said, “Sheikh Hasina doesn’t sell the country, but protects.”
“We discussed the ongoing mutual cooperation in different sectors during the visit. Besides, the door of cooperation has been opened in fresh sectors, including civil nuclear cooperation, science and information technology, satellite and space research, geo-survey, defense training and cooperation, building of community clinic with Indian financial support, and building of hydropower project in Bhutan,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina was addressing a press conference on her recent state-tour to India at her official residence-- Ganabhaban in the city on Tuesday afternoon (April 11).
The press conference began at about 4:30 pm and it continued over an hour.
Sheikh Hasina said that the issues of water sharing of trans-boundary Rivers, construction of Padma barrage, water resource management based on the river basin, border security, connectivity, mass communication, bilateral trade expansion, sub-regional cooperation, increase of the investment and different other issues were discussed in bilateral talks during her tour to New Delhi.
Terming the proposed Ganges barrage project in Pangsha in Rajbari taken by the water resources ministry as suicidal, the premier said that she annulled the project considering its negative impacts.
“The proposed project is completely faulty. It should not be implemented. If it constructed, it will be suicidal like Teesta barrage. The barrage will be constructed together so that both the countries can share water properly. The project will be constructed jointly and India will also fund it,” she said.
About Teesta, she said, “We can reserve the Teesta water during rainy season so that it could be used during dry season. We have to opt such way.”
She also spoke about West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s alternative proposal on giving water from some other rivers instead of Teesta. She is not in favor the proposal.
Sheikh Hasina responded to BNP and others’ criticism over the treaties signed with India and their comments that the PM sold the country. She came down heaving on the BNP chief and others for such comment.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia recently commented that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has signed the treaties and other documents with India to hold power for another five years by selling out the country.
In response, the PM said, “Sheikh Hasina doesn’t sell the country, but protects. Keep in mind that as long as I'm alive, you don’t have anything against the interest of Bangladesh.”
About achievement of India visit, she said, “We did not visit the neighboring country for receiving any payment. We went there just for friendship. We achieved it. We secured further achievements. We have been able to bring honor for the people of the country. This is our great achievement.”
Claiming that she worked in the past to resolve the India-Pakistan conflict, Sheikh Hasina commented that the regional development is not possible keeping friction. “I want good relations among the neighboring countries for peace and prosperity,” she said.
She called upon the Indian business leaders to make more investments in Bangladesh by exploring the business prospects Bangladesh offers. She claimed that the businessmen of Bangladesh found their partners in India.
Sheikh Hasina said that she was pleasantly surprised that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came at the airport to receive her. ”When the plane landed in the airport, I was told that Narendra Modi was at the airport. I was a little surprised and I said what a pleasant surprise,” she said.
The Prime Minister paid the visit to India from April 7 to April 10 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
She returned the country from New Delhi on Monday (April 10), wrapping up her four-day state tour.
The neighboring country gave highest honor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister. At the fag-end of her tour, Sheikh Hasina joined a reception accorded by the India Foundation.
During the state-tour, Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks with Narendra Modi. She also called on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
President of All India National Congress Sonia Gandhi, Indian external affairs minister Sushama Swaraj and chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Mukherjee called on Sheikh Hasina.
The PM paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement. She also visited Ajmer Sharif, the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi unveiled the Hindi edition of Bangabandhu’s ‘Osomapto Atmojiboni’ (Unfinished Memoirs). They also inaugurated a road in New Delhi which was renamed after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina honored Indian martyrs who sacrificed during Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971.
BDST: 2025 HRS, APR 11, 2017
EHJ
