Be firm on issues of national interest
Speakers at a discussion yesterday urged the prime minister to be strict regarding issues of national interest during her upcoming India visit, which begins on January 10.
They said there are a lot of unresolved issues with the neighbouring country that should be solved through mutual respect and the premier should not bow down before India.
The speakers also urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to raise the issues of justified share of water in the common rivers and maritime boundary.
Liberty Bangladesh, a pro-BNP organisation, organised the discussion at the National Press Club in the city ahead of the scheduled visit of the premier to India.
This is the first visit of Sheikh Hasina to India since she had taken office.
Former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed was the chief guest at the discussion titled 'Prime Minister's India Visit: Concerns and Prospects'.
Emajuddin said there are some common problems in the South Asian countries, which could not be solved through bilateral framework. So, such problems, like water sharing and combating militancy, should be solved through multilateral framework.
He also urged the prime minister to be strict like her Indian counterpart on the Tipaimukh dam issue.
"India had protested a Chinese move to construct a dam on the Brahmaputra, so our prime minister should also protest construction of the Tipaimukh Dam," he said.
"If India gives transit to Nepal and Bhutan, then why won't we give them transit?" he posed a question.
"I hope that she [Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina] will uphold the demand of the people firmly," he said.
Former director general of Bangladesh Rifles Maj Gen (retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman said there are three big problems with India -- maritime boundary, corridor and Tipaimukh dam.
The prime minister should discuss the maritime boundary issue with her Indian counterpart, he added.
"If we give corridor to India then the Indian insurgent groups may launch attacks inside Bangladesh," he alleged.
Journalist Sadek Khan also spoke at the meeting with Prof Mahbubullah of Dhaka University in the chair.
Comments