Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina: ‘India should show more generosity when it comes to the water-sharing dispute’

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday termed India a ‘trusted friend’ and mentioned the ‘long standing’ water-sharing dispute between the 2 international locations ought to be resolved to ease the issues the residents of her nation are dealing with.

The 74-year-old chief is scheduled to go to India between September 5 and eight, throughout which she’s going to meet with newly-sworn in President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, and maintain bilateral consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She final visited India earlier than the coronavirus pandemic in October 2019.

Speaking to information company ANI, Sheikh Hasina mentioned: “We are downstream, water is coming from India. So, India should show more generosity. Both countries would be beneficiaries. Sometimes, our people suffer a lot because of this, especially the Teesta River. We found that PM [Narendra Modi] is very eager to solve this but the problem is in your country. We share only Ganges water but we have 54 other rivers. It’s a long-standing problem and should be resolved.”

She additionally thanked PM Modi for India’s Vaccine Maitri programme, and termed India’s function within the evacuation of Bangladesh nationals who had been caught in war-hit Ukraine a “friendly gesture.”

#WATCH | Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina thanks PM Modi for India’s Vaccine Maitri program, phrases evacuation of Bangladesh nationals from war-torn Ukraine by India as a ”pleasant gesture” pic.twitter.com/1I7ZxlYL3z

— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2022

Sheikh Hasina additionally praised the decades-long relationship between the 2 international locations. “Even in 1975, when I lost all my family members, the then-Indian PM gave us shelter in India,” mentioned Sheikh Hasina.

When requested about Dhaka’s relationship with China in addition to India, Hasina mentioned that her essential purpose is the nation’s growth. “Our foreign policy is very clear — friendship to all, malice to none. If there’s a problem, it’s between China and India. I don’t want to put my nose there,” she mentioned.

Sheikh Hasina additionally urged bilateral options to any points between the 2 international locations.

“When you are living side by side, some problems will come up or remain or you can solve them. We still have issues but I think we will continue our dialogue. For our development, we need cooperation from any country which is suitable for our country,” she informed ANI.

On being requested about the potential for her son Sajeeb Wazed becoming a member of politics, the Bangladesh PM mentioned that she has left it as much as him to determine. “He’s working for the country. Digital Bangladesh is his idea and he is assisting me with this. But, he has never thought of taking any position in the political party or any ministry,” she mentioned.

In the free-wheeling interview, Sheikh Hasina additionally asserted that Bangladesh’s financial system is robust and able to repay money owed on time. She rejected the potential for an financial disaster, the likes of which Sri Lanka noticed earlier within the 12 months, hitting Dhaka.

Referring to the incidents confronted by Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, the prime minister mentioned that hers is a secular nation and the federal government has at all times taken fast motion in opposition to such incidents. “As long as we are in power, we will always give importance to this. I will always tell them they are our citizens. But sometimes, some incidents take place and we immediately take action,” she mentioned.

Speaking of the continued Rohingya disaster, Sheikh Hasina: “For us, it’s a big burden… On humanitarian grounds, we give them [Rohingyas] shelter and everything, but how long will they stay here? Some engage in drug or women trafficking. As soon as they return, it’s good. We are discussing it with them. India can play a big role,” she mentioned.