The ruling Awami League on Thursday accused the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of harming the country by maintaining hostile relations with neighbouring India.
鈥榃e don鈥檛 want enmity with India. We want friendly, balanced, and respectful mutual diplomacy,鈥� said AL general secretary Obaidul Quader before a joint meeting of the party at its Bangabandhu Avenue central office in Dhaka.
The meeting was organised to mark the 75th anniversary of the Awami League.
Before the meeting, Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, spoke to journalists about the preparations and arrangements for the party鈥檚 foundation anniversary and announced a 10-point programme to celebrate the occasion.
In response to a question, the minister said that they wanted to maintain good relations with India. A respectful resolution of issues at the negotiating table was possible if the relationship was amicable. A comprehensive partnership with India was in Bangladesh鈥檚 national interest. They would not sell the national interest to anyone.
He mentioned that relations with India were hostile during the tenures of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad, and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Quader also accused the trio of creating a wall of mutual suspicion and mistrust.
鈥楰haleda Zia has done the most damage to Bangladesh by antagonising India. Even she forgot to talk about the Ganga water treaty after going to India,鈥� he added.
Quader noted that Indian prime minister Narendra Modi had taken the initiative to solve the long-standing border problem and the Indian parliament had unanimously decided to resolve the issue.
He pointed out that, apart from Myanmar, Bangladesh was surrounded by India on three sides.
鈥楽o, any problem will be solved through discussion. The border problem that we had, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman raised it in the parliament. Also, prime minister Sheikh Hasina is fully working to solve the problem,鈥� he continued.
Regarding the flood situation in Sylhet, Quader mentioned that many people were trapped in water. The PM was regularly monitoring the situation.
AL leaders called upon the activists of the party to participate in rescue and relief activities in the flooded region, Quader informed.
Earlier, Quader highlighted the significance of the party鈥檚 founding anniversary, stating that all the great achievements of the people of Bangladesh had come through the Awami League.
He emphasised that the party had fought to establish the rights and democracy of the Bengali nation and that the journey of the Awami League over these 75 years was glorious and marked by many successes.