As India continues to shelter Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has warned that it would be difficult for the party to cooperate with India if it continues to "help our enemy" (Sheikh Hasina).
Veteran BNP functionary Gayeshwar Roy, a member of the party's standing committee, said the BNP believes Bangladesh and India must have mutual cooperation. "However Indian government will have to understand and behave in a manner which follows that spirit," Roy told The Times of India.
"But if you help our enemy then it becomes difficult for that mutual cooperation to be honoured. Our former foreign minister (in the Hasina govt) said here before the last elections that India would help Sheikh Hasina return to office. Sheikh Hasina’s liability is being borne by India," he added.
Roy also rubbished reports that the BNP was an anti-minority party, adding that the BNP was a nationalist party and believed in the individual rights of all communities.
He also ruled out allegations that terrorist elements were using Bangladesh against India, stating that it was all perception. "Not the truth. India has helped in get our Independence. We cannot be against India," Roy said.
"We are a smaller country, we need India for many things including medical facilities, and many other goods for our people, but the revenue that India earns from Bangladeshis on these accounts is also not a small amount," he said.
His statements come as India repeated its stance on Hasina, stating that Hasina herself will decide on her next course of action. Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, said the Indian government had no update on her plans. "It will not be appropriate for me to comment on her plans. It is for her to take this forward," he said.
As for Hasina's arch-rival and BNP leader Khaleda Zia, her first response has been to call for calm and an end to violence. In a video address from her hospital bed to hundreds of supporters at a rally on Wednesday after her release from house arrest." No destruction, revenge or vengeance," she said as the BNP demanded elections in three months.
Bangladesh's new interim government assumed charge on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his new role as the chief adviser of the interim government. In a tweet, he expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all minority communities.
