Nothing to hide in the agreements and MoUs: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"As long as I'm in power I don't do politics in my personal interests. Interests of the country and people as well as dignity of the nation are very important for me," she told a press conference at her Ganobhaban official residence on her just concluded India visit.

Sheikh Hasina said all agreements with foreign countries are signed after approval of the cabinet. "So, these are open documents," she said.

Responding to her government policy to maintain relation both India and China Sheikh Hasina said policy of Bangabandhu- 'Friendship with all, Malice to None,' is the "guiding factor of our foreign policy".

"I'm trying to comply with the policy word by word and establish good relation with every country," she said.

The premier added India and China might have problems in their bilateral relations but Bangladesh would maintain good relation with every country.

She said Bangladesh needs to have good relations with all countries for its cherished prosperity as quick as possible since as a nation "it has lost much time after the killing of Bangabandhu in our expedition for development".

The Prime Minister said the business delegation accompanied her in India found their opportunities and trade partners and as many as 12 MoU were signed under which huge Indian investment would come to Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said undoubtedly geographically and demographically Bangladesh is a small country comparative to India "but dignity of the both countries is equal as far as nation's sovereignty and independence is concerned".

India has given the honour to me which actually belongs to the Bangladesh and its people, she said. Sheikh Hasina said after 21 years Bangladesh Awami League has got opportunity to serve the nation.

"Now wherever in the world you go, you see a dignified position of Bangladesh, and we have done this" she said adding that as a victorious nation her government is making constant efforts to uphold the dignity.

About conferring to the fallen soldiers of India in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 the Prime Minister said the event has elevated the position of Bangladesh to a new dignified position as a nation.

About the signing of MoU with India on defense framework, the Prime Minister said such MoUs are not anything new as cooperation in military sector among nations is very common.

"Even we procure many things from Pakistan and Bangladesh has such agreements with six countries- China, Belarus, France, Kuwait, Russia and Turkey and Bangladesh also has such MoUs with Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, USA, UK," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said process is going on for signing such agreements with more 13 countries - Bahrain, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Palestine, the Philippines, Soviet Russia, South Korea and the USA.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh signed first defense agreement with Turkey in 1981 and the defense pact with China was signed keeping the people completely in dark.

"Nobody knows when the agreement was signed and what the matters it contained," she said, adding that those who signed the agreement secretly are now talking much about the defense agreement.

The MoU was signed for military training, seminars, exchange of visits, joint exercise, celebration of various events of War of Liberation, excursion, exchange of trainers and observers, procurement of military equipment, monitoring the peacekeeping activities, training on disaster management and cooperation in the areas of Medicare facilities.

Brushing aside a vested section's criticism of the MoU on defense framework, the Prime Minister said, "I know they would do it. I know their character."

She said Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country. But consensus with neighbouring countries is very crucial for modernization of the defense force and its institutions.

She said the interest rate of the credit to be available under the MoU is only one percent and the loan is payable in 20 years. And under the MoU, Bangladesh would select its requirements without Indian inference.

Sheikh Hasina said everybody should have to keep in mind that India is a true friend of Bangladesh and its army had played role in the independence when many of their members embraced martyrdom.

"As an independent nation we are making our defense force strong," she added

Sheikh Hasina said in the talks with the Indian leaders she discussed overall development of the region as she aimed to build a regional and bilateral cooperation for sustainable regional development.

About the possibility of signing the Teesta water sharing agreement, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is a downstream country. So, none will be able to hold water in the upstream.

However, she said the barrage at Gojoldova in the upstream of Teesta is causing a real problem in natural flow of common rivers. But during pre and post independence period, no government in Bangladesh raised the voice against the barrage.

As a reprisal, she said, Bangladesh constructed the Teesta Barrage obstructing the Teesta flow, which was also a great mistake and Bangladesh is now a victim of that wrong decision.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would wait for Teesta agreement as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee didn't discard the possibility of striking the agreement.

Mamata, however, laid importance on linking other rivers to increase the flow and proposed for a feasibility study on river linking which is a matter of long time, Sheikh Hasina said.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the deal will be signed during the tenure of the incumbent governments of the two countries, she added.

"So, we will wait and take our own steps for dredging the Teesta and the Brahmaputra to enhance their storage capacity and use the water in our need," the Prime Minister said.

Sheikh Hasina said she accepted the proposal of Mamata Banerjee for purchasing more 500 MW electricity from West Bengal and was waiting for the next response from "Mamata Didi".

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol