Raise major issues boldly, uphold national interest

Wishing Sheikh Hasina success on her visit to India, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the premier should elicit assurance from India about some important issues like water sharing, maritime boundary, trade and market extension for Bangladeshi products and permission for Bangladeshi TV channels in India.
“The visit won't be fruitful if these serious issues are not high on the agenda,” she said at a press conference last night at her Gulshan office.
She said BNP wants to cooperate with the government in the greater interest of the country. “We are placing the expectation and aspiration of the people ahead of the prime minister's visit to India so that she can raise the issues boldly to uphold our national interest.”
Khaleda said the allegation has been rife that Indian security forces picked up their rebel leaders from Bangladesh territory, which is an extreme violation of the sovereignty of Bangladesh. She hoped Hasina would raise this issue too during her visit to India.
“We won the liberation war but our present battle is to provide security of life, protect our sovereignty, environment. Time has come to organise the nation to rebuild Bangladesh,” she said.
People are worried about the adverse effect of Tipaimukh dam on Bangladesh, she said, adding that the two countries were supposed to reach an agreement on water sharing of the Teesta river but the foreign minister had already said no treaty would be signed during the visit of Hasina.
“Giving corridor in the name of Asian Highway is a threat to our national security,” she said.
“Rebellions of different ethnic groups in India are closely linked to the issue of Bangladesh's national security. It is an internal affair of India but it is a matter of concern when India implicates us in their affairs, she said.
“There are lot of other issues between the two countries that should be addressed. Enclaves and border disputes are among them. Maritime boundary dispute should be on the agenda,” she went on.
Senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were also present at the briefing.
Asked about the allegation raised by AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam that BNP arranged a meeting between then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Ulfa leader Anup Chetia, Khaleda evaded the question saying she would answer it later.