Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent official visits to Malaysia and China have set a ‘benchmark’ not only for Bangladesh’s politics but also for the country’s future relations with the rest of the world.
Khosru made the remarks while taking part in the discussion on a thanksgiving motion unanimously adopted by the Jatiya Sangsad in recognition of the “extraordinary success” of the prime minister’s official visits to Malaysia and China from June 21-26.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir moved the motion at the beginning of the day’s sitting.
The motion was later adopted unanimously after Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, put it to a voice vote. Earlier, the day’s sitting resumed with the Speaker in the chair.
Taking part in the discussion, the finance minister said the prime minister’s visits were firmly rooted in Bangladesh’s foreign policy principles.
“Our relations with every country will be based on mutual respect, mutual interest, non-interference and strategic autonomy.
The prime minister’s visit has demonstrated that commitment,” he said.
He said the prime minister had reaffirmed the benchmark that has traditionally guided the BNP’s foreign policy.
“He has once again confirmed the benchmark for Bangladesh’s relations with other countries-a principle that has always been central to BNP politics and was established by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman- that our relations with every country will be based on these standards,” he added.
Highlighting the significance of the Malaysia visit, the finance minister said Bangladesh has substantial interests in the Malaysian labour market, energy cooperation, trade and investment.
Regarding China, he said discussions focused on infrastructure development and expanding bilateral trade.
“China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, and discussions were also held on how Bangladesh can narrow the existing trade gap by increasing its exports to the Chinese market,” he said.
The finance minister also said the prime minister had introduced a new political culture in Bangladesh.
“When he departed for and returned from the visits, there were no thousands of people gathered at the airport to accord him a reception. This marks a major ‘cultural change’ in Bangladesh’s politics. The prime minister has set a new standard for what the country’s future political culture should look like,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
