Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she always protects the nation's interests and would never sell out the country to anyone.
"Sheikh Hasina does not sell out the country. We have made this country independent, and that should be remembered. Those who accuse us of selling out the country supported Pakistan in 1971," the prime minister said on Tuesday at a press conference at her official residence, Ganabhaban.
She addressed questions about the outcome of her June 21-22 state visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The premier also announced that her government will choose the most beneficial proposal for the country regarding the Teesta master plan project as both China and India are interested in this project.
This was the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the BJP-led alliance formed its government for a third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections.
Sheikh Hasina said this visit has been highly successful. "The visit was short but very fruitful. I believe it will play an important role in strengthening the already excellent relations between India and Bangladesh.”
The trip was Sheikh Hasina’s second to the Indian capital in less than 15 days, following her attendance at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on June 9.
The visit opened up new avenues for cooperation aimed at the socioeconomic development of the people of both nations, said the premier.
During the visit, Dhaka and New Delhi signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), including seven new and three in renewal, to further solidify the growing relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Hasina remarked that Bangladesh-India relations have reached new heights over the past 15 years, with both nations benefiting significantly.
During the bilateral meeting, the Indian Prime Minister noted rapid development and progress, emphasizing regional cooperation amid global instability, in relations between the two countries.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including politics and security, border management, trade and connectivity, river and water sharing, energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation.
Sheikh Hasina also invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members, Deputy Leader of the House Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Kazi Zafarullah, Joint General Secretary and Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and prime minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, shared the dais with the premier at the press conference. It was moderated by Prime Minister's Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan.
After the speech, there was a question-answer session with journalists.
There is no harm in allowing transit
"I have a question. How are the sales weighed? If something is sold out, isn't it measured by weight? Now there are electronic machines. Earlier it was measured on scales. So, what is being sold? And how is the sale?" the premier asked in response to criticism regarding providing rail transit facilities to India.
The prime minister emphasized that there is no harm in allowing transit between countries.
Recalling India's role in Bangladesh's Liberation War, Sheikh Hasina said: "Bangladesh is an independent country. We gained independence by waging the Liberation War. Those who indulge in criticism should know that there was only one allied force that stood with us and shed their blood to make this country free. Our freedom fighters were trained there. India is an exception here. They have fought alongside us as allies, and when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted them (Indian soldiers) to return to their country the then prime minister of India Indira Gandhi immediately agreed and took them back."
Sheikh Hasina criticized her detractors, saying: "Even then, those who say that the country will be sold out to India, how can they say this? Those who are saying this, have sold themselves to India. We have seen that whenever military dictators came — Zia, Ershad, and even Khaleda — they used to speak anti-Indian but sat at India's feet. These are my own experiences."
She questioned what the harm was in giving transit facilities and said: "The railways which were closed (with India), are slowly being reopened. It is making a huge contribution to the economy. Do we close the door in Bangladesh? Look at Europe, there are no borders. Is one country selling itself out to another country in Europe?"
The prime minister reiterated: "Our country is an independent, sovereign country. I have opened all communication systems, and the common people will benefit from them. Trade and commerce will thrive."
Relations with India and China: Friendship to all, malice to none
Addressing the balance between relations with India and China, she said her government follows the foreign policy of "Friendship to all, malice to none."
"India is important to Bangladesh as its soldiers, along with our freedom fighters, shed blood for our independence during the Liberation War in 1971," she said.
She also acknowledged the valuable lessons to be learned from China’s development.
"We maintain relations with both countries, considering all these aspects," she added.
The prime minister added that she does not interfere in the relations between other countries.
"I work for the welfare and development of our country and people, maintaining friendly relations with all," she said.
Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus to debate with her on the issues concerning him.
“There is nothing to be jealous of. He can come and debate with me as is done in the US,” she said.
