DU Correspondent :
Speakers at a roundtable on Saturday emphasized on national unity to deal with India on many pending issues like Teesta Water Sharing Agreement, border killing, enclaves and maritime disputes.
“We (the people of Bangladesh) are divided on national issues. We have no national unity. That is why we are being deprived of our rights. Only national unity can help us to get our rights,” they said.
The speakers said this at a roundtable titled “Indian National Election and Our Expectations” held in the VIP Lounge of National Press Club yesterday (Saturday).
South Asia Youth for Peace and Prosperity Society (SAYPPS) organized the programme focusing on Indian election.
Speakers said, “Bangladesh cannot influence the national election of India. Bangladesh will not be benefited if the present Congress led UPA government fails to return to power. Indian foreign policy does not change.”
Former Education Minister Dr M Osman Farruk, Chairman of Center for Foreign Affairs Studies Ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman
former Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Chairman of Bangladesh Kalyan Party Major General (Retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim (Bir Protik), Journalist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Sadek Khan and Dhaka University Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah delivered lectures, among others.
Chairman of SAYPPS presided over the programme, while its General Secretary NM Sajjadul Hoque moderated it.
The Daily Bangladesh Today Sub-Editor Rakibul Hasan presented the keynote paper.
Dr M Osman Farruk said, “We may have many expectations from the new government of India which is supposed to be formed in May. The foreign policy of India with Bangladesh is not on right track. The democratic atmosphere prevails in India. But the Indian government supports an undemocratic government in Bangladesh. I think that the new government would realize the actual matter.”
“We want good relation with India obviously. But we cannot surrender our sovereignty. Foreign policy should be on the basis of equality not subjection,” he said.
M Sakhawat Hussain said, “No political party of Bangladesh will get extra benefit from the new government. They will never change their foreign policy. We must have good relation with the all portions of India.”
