Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have stated that the bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh are not dependent on the Awami League. They believe that it is natural for Bangladesh to have adverse reactions to India providing refuge to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that the adverse reactions to Hasina seeking refuge in India are natural, as people tend to dislike those who support someone they do not like.
“The impact of Sheikh Hasina getting refuge in India is quite natural. For example, if I don’t like you and someone else is supporting you, then I will naturally have a dislike for that person too. It is natural to have adverse reactions. But the fact is India-Bangladesh always shared good ties irrespective of whether the Awami League or Sheikh Hasina is in power,” Hossain told PTI.
Regarding India’s close relationship with the Awami League, Mintoo acknowledged that it might have a minor and short-term impact on bilateral relations. However, he emphasized that maintaining good relations with India is crucial for Bangladesh’s interests, given India’s size and economic significance.
“It is in the interest of Bangladesh that we should have very good relations with India. I would not have said this had this been any other neighbouring country like Bhutan or Nepal, but India is a very big country and one of the largest economies in the world. For the sake of good bilateral ties, both countries need to sit and talk and resolve the differences,” he said.
‘Matter of decision by Hasina herself and the Indian government’
BNP leader and party spokesman Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the decision regarding Hasina’s stay in India rests solely with her and the Indian government, and BNP has no influence over the matter.
“Right now, she (Hasina) is the most wanted person in Bangladesh to be exposed to justice for numerous crimes – from murders and forced disappearances to massive corruption like siphoning out of billions of dollars,” he said.
“Yet, the people of Bangladesh think, the Indian authorities should take into account their feelings as eventually ties between the two neighbouring countries depend on relations between two peoples and not between a country and an individual or quarter,” Chowdhury told PTI.
“The people (in Bangladesh) will not see it in a good light (Hasina’s stay in India),” he added.
BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that the adverse reactions to Hasina seeking refuge in India are natural, as people tend to dislike those who support someone they do not like.
“The impact of Sheikh Hasina getting refuge in India is quite natural. For example, if I don’t like you and someone else is supporting you, then I will naturally have a dislike for that person too. It is natural to have adverse reactions. But the fact is India-Bangladesh always shared good ties irrespective of whether the Awami League or Sheikh Hasina is in power,” Hossain told PTI.
Regarding India’s close relationship with the Awami League, Mintoo acknowledged that it might have a minor and short-term impact on bilateral relations. However, he emphasized that maintaining good relations with India is crucial for Bangladesh’s interests, given India’s size and economic significance.
“It is in the interest of Bangladesh that we should have very good relations with India. I would not have said this had this been any other neighbouring country like Bhutan or Nepal, but India is a very big country and one of the largest economies in the world. For the sake of good bilateral ties, both countries need to sit and talk and resolve the differences,” he said.
‘Matter of decision by Hasina herself and the Indian government’
BNP leader and party spokesman Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the decision regarding Hasina’s stay in India rests solely with her and the Indian government, and BNP has no influence over the matter.
“Right now, she (Hasina) is the most wanted person in Bangladesh to be exposed to justice for numerous crimes – from murders and forced disappearances to massive corruption like siphoning out of billions of dollars,” he said.
“Yet, the people of Bangladesh think, the Indian authorities should take into account their feelings as eventually ties between the two neighbouring countries depend on relations between two peoples and not between a country and an individual or quarter,” Chowdhury told PTI.
“The people (in Bangladesh) will not see it in a good light (Hasina’s stay in India),” he added.