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'Expect Modi government to keep Bangla hopes in mind'
We reprint here the interview of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to Jaideep Mazumdar which was published in Times of India on October 23, 2014 to give our readers an insight into BNP's expectations from India regarding issues of bilateral concern.
Jaideep Mazumdar (JM): What are your expectations from the Narendra Modi government in India?
Khaleda Zia (KZ): The people of India have voted overwhelmingly for Mr. Narendra Modi expecting change What policies the new government will adopt in terms of India's relations with her neighbours are yet to be seen. We note with hope his assurances of resolving our outstanding bilateral issues. The prime minister's emphasis on strengthening Saarc is a welcome move.
(JM): Do you think the policies of the Modi government towards Bangladesh are going to be different from those of the previous Congress government?
(KZ): We need to wait some more before a clear picture emerges on how the new government in India seeks to develop its relations with Bangladesh. As India's closest neighbour, it is our expectation that the NDA government will adopt policies that will be responsive to the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.
We also hope New Delhi will earnestly work towards finding mutually beneficial solutions to our outstanding issues like sharing the waters of our common rivers, the killing of innocent Bangladeshis along the border areas, the land boundary issue and increasing trade imbalance, among others. This will generate trust among the people on both sides and give our relations greater depth and firm footing.
(JM): Will you, or senior leaders of your party, be interested in meeting Modi? If so, what issues would you take up with him and what would be your expectations from the meeting?
(KZ): We would always be interested to
interact with the top leadership of BJP. The people of Bangladesh have put their faith in us and elected us to office a number of times. It is only logical, therefore, that regular contact between our party and BJP as well as other major political parties in India at various levels should be a norm in the interest of strengthening our bilateral relations. Such contacts would enable both sides to address all issues that are of interest to our people.
(JM): Do you think your alliance with Jamaat will be a hindrance in fostering BNP's ties with BJP?
(KZ): Our alliance with Jamaat is only an electoral understanding. It is by no means an ideological one. On the contrary, the Awami League has a long history of close relations with the Jamaat and other extremist religious groups. BNP will always set its own policies. We will do all that is needed to ensure the welfare of our people in close collaboration with our neighbours and other friends in the international community. Our relations with BJP will be fostered in that light.
(JM): Do you think the Sheikh Hasina government has taken enough steps to root out anti-India militant groups from Bangladesh?
(KZ): Sheikh Hasina's government is reported to have entered into a number of security agreements with India. However, the people of Bangladesh are unaware of the extent and details of those agreements, none of which has been made public. We are also unaware of the degree to which these have been successful. Recent media reports, however, abound with reference to arms hauls, bomb blasts, activities of
militant and extremist groups and the nexus between drugs, money and arms smuggling.
BNP will never tolerate any act of terrorism, militancy or extremism. We have acted resolutely against all extremists and terrorist groups by clamping down on them, arresting them and bringing them before law. We also remain firm that we shall never allow our territory to be used by anyone for purposes inimical to the interest of India.
(JM): Are the Teesta and land boundary agreements on their way to resolution?
(KZ): At this point of time, there are no indications of any resolution on these two key issues. Many in Bangladesh attribute this as a failure of the Awami League government to pursue the vital national interest of Bangladesh. The present dispensation in Dhaka lacks any legitimacy and hence is not in any position to speak for
the people of Bangladesh. Nobody even takes them seriously, let alone engages them in any serious negotiations.
(JM): What are the other issues with India that you would like to be resolved? (KZ): The sharing of waters of our common rivers and killing of innocent Bangladeshis in border areas have to find due priority in our discourse. The Bangla-India relationship is rooted in history and conditioned by geography. It has to be pursued based on the principles of mutual respect of each other's sovereignty, mutual benefit and mutual interest. We must also be sensitive to the concerns of the other on key issues like security and threats from terrorism and insurgencies. Sustained cooperation, both at the bilateral level and in the regional context, is fundamental to giving our relations greater strength.
(JM): The common perception in India is the Awami League is friendly towards India while BNP is not..
(KZ): There is a concerted campaign to create an impression that BNP is not friendly towards India. This is far from truth. The main success of the BNP foreign policy lies in the fact that we have been able to ensure friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all countries. Our relations with India are based on the principles of mutual benefit and respect. During my interactions with successive Indian leaders over the years, I have been able to convey to them how we can work together to strengthen our relations in all fields and that it be pursued keeping in mind the interest of our people. I got the impression that our points of view were well-received.