Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told the media on Wednesday that the government would make details of the defence deal public if it was signed. Mahmood Ali hinted that over 33 deals and documents will be signed but people’s concern mainly remained fixed on the nature of the defence deal. Finance Minister AMA Muhith has also said the government would clear the situation on return of the Prime Minister.
Such secretive attitude on a vital issue is not acceptable to the people. Ignoring the people is becoming a habit with some in the government.
Meanwhile Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat paid a two-day visit to Dhaka from March 30 to fix major issues of the bilateral defense cooperation in meetings with top Bangladesh officials.
But the proposed defence deal has already created serious misgivings in public mind because defence and security is mainly the exclusive preparedness of a nation with highest level of secrecy in all fronts. The question of defence deal with India comes as a surprise.
We have always said Bangladesh external security is becoming ever vulnerable from failing to get due share of water from common rivers and particularly Indian refusal to sign the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement. The entire northwestern region is facing water crisis and failing to grow seasonal crops in absence of water during dry season.
Bangladesh’s external security is also facing growing danger from border killing as it is going on unhindered.
Bangladesh does not require a defence pact with India. On the other hand India has to show how much helpful it can be about solving the disputed issue posing as external threats to our security as mentioned above as a trusted a friend of Bangladesh.
If truth has to be said, for trustworthy relations between Bangladesh and India then it has to be said that India is not being seen as friendly as the people of Bangladesh would like it to be.
Our internal security problem is about having truly elected people in public offices enjoying public confidence. Our internal security problem is how to secure the rule of law and fair justice. Our security problem is disappearances and killings without due process of law.
We want to be sure that we are free to solve such internal security problems ourselves. We need India’s help as a friend of the people of Bangladesh.
