Leaders of the ruling Awami League have expressed satisfaction and high hopes for the next national parliament election after a recent visit to India, where they had several meetings with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP is interested in working with the Awami League in future as it has in the past for the sake of political stability, as well as to combat terrorism and extremism in the region, Awami League leaders said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Awami League Presidium member and Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Organizing Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Central Working Committee member Marina Jahan Kabita, and Reserved Women's Constituency MP Aroma Dutta were present during the briefing, which was held at the Dhanmondi office of the Awami League President.
Before the briefing, the delegation went to Ganabhaban to meet with Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and brief her on the visit to India.
Meeting sources said India’s ruling party is ready to support the Awami League at the upcoming national polls, but they also expressed concerns over Bangladesh-China relations.
Dr Abdur Razzaque said: “We have a very deep understanding with India. The Indian ruling party expressed their eagerness to work together for the development of Bangladesh as well as the region.”
Dr Hasan Mahmud said: “We have informed the BJP leaders that when the BNP was in power, the 10-truck arms haul smuggling incident happened, which was dangerous for seven Indian states.
“The Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ensured security and safety so that no one can use Bangladesh’s territory to damage its neighbour,” he added.
The Awami League leaders said every meeting with the BJP was very cordial. Regional cooperation, counter-terrorism and political stability were discussed with special importance.
The BJP also assured the Awami League that it is happy with the Awami League’s stand against militancy and extremist forces, and it will continue its journey with the Awami League for a safer and stable region.
When asked about the BNP’s recent anti-government movement, the Awami League leaders said India is keeping itself informed about what is happening in Bangladesh “like a good neighbour”.
India never wants an inimical force that patronizes radicalization and militancy to come to power in Bangladesh and also believes that Bangladesh has progressed tremendously in the last decade under the current leadership, the Awami League leaders told this correspondent.
During the four-day visit, the Awami League delegation had meetings with BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda and General Secretary Vinod Tawde, Indian Commerce Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal, and former Indian foreign secretary Harsha Vardhan Shringla, among others.
The Awami League leaders visited India at the invitation of the BJP.
