Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to New Delhi was very excellent, fruitful, and friendly, reports BSS.
"The visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India was cordial, fantastic, and fruitful. The progress and achievements of the two countries were evidently reflected during the visit. A total of 10 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed, and 13 specific declarations have come out from the tour," he said.
The AL general secretary made the remarks in a statement sent to the media, protesting statements made by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Quader said successful statesman Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always runs the government, giving priority to the dignity and interests of the country and its people.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prioritizes the security and interests of her countrymen in all of her internal and foreign policies. Her recent India visit was not an exception," he added.
The minister said the BNP and its leaders don't notice the success of the incumbent government.
Mentioning that India is the largest neighbouring country of Bangladesh, Quader said strategic relations with India should be strengthened for the interest of Bangladesh, adding, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sincerely tried to follow the strategy during her recent India visit."
Stating that mistrust and disbelief were created between Bangladesh and India during the BNP's regime, Quader said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to entirely bring back the trust and belief between the two neighboring countries."
The sufferings of Bangladeshi patients will be lessened to a great extent as Dhaka and New Delhi have agreed to begin e-medical visas for Bangladeshi patients, the AL general secretary said.
"Teesta water sharing was an important issue during the visit. There are differences of opinion between the central government and the state government of India over the water sharing of the river," Quader said.
"Despite having the internal issue, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already declared to send a technical team to Bangladesh over the Teesta water sharing project."
Talking about the well-being of the country does not suit BNP leaders, as their leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, had forgotten to raise the Teesta water sharing issue when she was Prime Minister and visited India, he said.
On the other hand, Quader said, the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has completed the 30-year-long Ganges Water Sharing Agreement just after assuming office. The issue of renewing the agreement was also discussed during the visit, he said.
He said territory and enclave agreements with India were completed under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Quader hoped that bilateral issues with other countries, including India, would be solved in a peaceful manner soon.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
