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DHAKA: National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has said that any move to establish normal diplomatic relations with India will not be acceptable to the people of Bangladesh unless the issue of convicted murderer Sheikh Hasina’s anti-Bangladesh political activities from Indian territory and her extradition are resolved.
He made the remarks in a political statement sent to the media on Tuesday
In the statement, Nahid Islam said, “For the past two years, India has allowed convicted murderer Sheikh Hasina to use its territory to carry out anti-Bangladesh activities. This is a direct insult to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, judicial system and the democratic mandate of its people. Recently, by ignoring Bangladesh’s objections and allowing Sheikh Hasina to hold an alleged press conference in Delhi, India has once again demonstrated that there has been no fundamental change in its hegemonic and aggressive policy toward Bangladesh.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said, “Even after such a serious attack on Bangladesh’s sovereignty, the ministry has merely issued a statement and failed to secure effective accountability from the Indian government.”
Nahid also expressed deep disappointment that although the Prime Minister met the Indian High Commissioner on Monday, no statement, explanation or apology from the Indian side regarding the August 5 incident was made public.
Criticizing the Indian High Commissioner’s remarks about a “Shared Dream,” Nahid Islam said, “The people of Bangladesh are not partners in any so-called expansionist dream, and the people of this country will not accept any relationship in which Delhi claims the right to determine or influence Bangladesh’s political future. Bangladesh wants to see a democratic South Asia based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and partnership.”
Outlining his key conditions for relations with India, he said, “India must provide a clear explanation and apology for the August 5 incident, extradite Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi, and provide assurances that anti-Bangladesh political activities from Indian territory will be permanently halted.”
He further warned that any attempt to normalize bilateral relations with India in the name of friendship—while sacrificing Bangladesh’s sovereignty and security without securing a clear position and accountability regarding the sheltering of leaders of the fascist Awami League and fugitives involved in anti-state activities—would be meaningless.