Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her party, the Awami League, does not wish to come to power by selling any resources of the country, unlike the opposition BNP, which wants to assume power by giving a guarantee to sell St Martin's Island.
“The BNP came to power in 2001 by giving an undertaking to sell gas. Now they want to sell the country. They want to come to power by selling St Martin's Island,” the prime minister said while addressing a press conference at her official residence, Ganabhaban, on the outcome of her recent visits to Switzerland and Qatar, reports UNB.
On June 14, Dhaka-8 MP Rashed Khan Menon had claimed that the US is after St Martin's Island and that the new US visa policy is part of a strategy for “regime change”.
“The US wants St Martin's Island, and they want Bangladesh in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). They are doing everything to destabilize the current government,” he said during the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year in parliament.
At Wednesday's press briefing, Sheikh Hasina said she is the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and so she has no wish to come to power by selling off any resource of the country.
“Now if I say that I will lease out St Martin's Island or our country, there will also be no problem for me to stay in power. I know that,” she said.
The prime minister further said she will not allow anyone to play with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. “We will not allow any acts like terrorist activities in any place or attacks on anyone by using the soil of my country,” she added.
“We believe in peace, we believe in peaceful cooperation,” said Sheikh Hasina, adding that Bangladesh did not engage in quarrels with Myanmar even after some 1.1 million Myanmar refugees took shelter in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has been continuing negotiations with Myanmar on the issue, she said, adding that her government believes in the policy of “friendship to all and malice to none.”
Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar on May 22-25 to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 and was in Switzerland from June 13-16 for the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All," a summit of the International Labour Organization.
BRICS membership the aim
At Wednesday's press briefing, the prime minister also expressed Bangladesh's keen interest in joining the BRICS coalition, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
"We have been associated with BRICS since its inception, and now we seek official membership as part of our strategy to pursue diverse avenues for development and bilateral relations. It is crucial for our country's overall growth that we do not rely solely on one or two options," she said.
During a recent meeting in Geneva with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country currently holds the BRICS presidency, she discussed Bangladesh's aspiration to be a part of the alliance.
Ramaphosa talked about a potential expansion of the alliance during a meeting. The decision regarding this matter is expected to be discussed at the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in August, Sheikh Hasina added.
The prime minister also took the opportunity to appeal to President Ramaphosa to set up South Africa's embassy in Dhaka.
Stressing the importance of conducting trade in local currencies to reduce reliance on the US dollar, the prime minister said Bangladesh is receptive to exploring alternative currencies and financial institutions.
"Our efforts are underway to implement trade transactions through using local currencies, aimed at alleviating the burden on our dollar reserves," she mentioned, noting that further information regarding this initiative will be disclosed once all the details have been finalized.
"We are committed to actively participating in any initiative that benefits our nation. Our priority lies in pursuing actions that favour the well-being of our people. In the past we were limited to aligning with a single party or taking sides. We embrace a more inclusive approach now,” she added.
The prime minister also reiterated that the forthcoming national election will take place on time and in line with the constitution.
