State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam has stated, "The agreement that has been made with America directly affects our economy. Meaning, we have a massive ready-made garments sector, which we export abroad. Now America wants to reduce the trade deficit, they also want to reduce the import gap—they want many things. We have agreed to that. But we can certainly go into implementation, provided that our country's economy remains protected."
"We are talking with them in a way that our private sector remains protected and the people of the country are not harmed."
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs made these remarks while speaking with journalists at her residence on Monday (March 23) afternoon.
Shama Obayed Islam said, "Talks are ongoing with the United States. Now they have taken a decision, an agreement has been reached. We have not just one, but many agreements with the United States. So, discussions will be held regarding all agreements. I am saying again, we will enter into agreements by protecting the interests of the people of Bangladesh. We have many more agreements with the United States in many other places and many sectors, so all agreements will be discussed. All of it is implementable for us; we will move forward with those agreements which will help our economy. Because we have to work with all countries. Because Bangladesh is an export-oriented country. We have to work keeping LDC graduation in mind. Therefore, these will be discussed. Everything will happen based on discussion."
Regarding the relationship with India, she said: "By this time, India should realize that—that one-sided foreign policy they had regarding Bangladesh—yes, for the last 17 years, there was no people-to-people connectivity between India and the people of Bangladesh. Their foreign policy was different in the past days. I think India has moved away from that position and India is realizing that to maintain good relations with Bangladesh, they must maintain relations with the people of Bangladesh. They must maintain relations with people of all classes and professions. I can understand that India is working on that area."
She added: "The current government of Bangladesh is working on a 'Bangladesh First' policy above all else, and there will be no deviation from that with India. Our relationship with India will remain on the 'Bangladesh First' policy. And since we have surrounded them and they have surrounded us on three sides—they are our closest neighbor—we have issues with them, border issues exist."