Dhaka signs MoUs with Delhi securing national interest: Hasan

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said yesterday Dhaka had signed new Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and renewed old ones with India securing the national interests of Bangladesh.

He made the remake while responding a question of a journalist regarding the BNP's negative comments on the Prime Minister's recent visit to India at the foreign ministry here, reports BSS.

Dr Hasan criticized the BNP Secretary General for making comments without understanding the difference between agreement and MoU while accused them of opposing the government indiscriminately.

Referring to the relationship with India as mutually respectful, he stated that Narendra Modi invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the first head of government to visit New Delhi after forming his third-term government.

The minister pointed out that during the BNP's tenure, BNP had failed to maintain good relations with neighbors.

He recalled that BNP leader Khaleda Zia admitted forgetting to discuss the Ganges Treaty during her visit to India, whereas Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured the Ganges Treaty in 1996, ensuring water sharing for Bangladesh.

Hasan said under the leadership of Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi, the bilateral relationship has reached new heights.

This enhanced relationship has enabled Bangladesh to import hydropower from Nepal via transmission lines through India while similar discussions are underway with Bhutan, he said.

Responding to another query about connectivity with India, the foreign minister said that Dhaka-Kolkata and Khulna-Kolkata rail connectivity exists.

Along with India, work is going on to develop regional rail and road connectivity including Nepal and Bhutan, he added.