DHAKA: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Friday forewarned that any move to sign any credit agreement with an Indian bank would be resisted through movement.
BNP Standing Committee member MK Anwar made the announcement on the party stand at a press conference held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office in the afternoon—a day before Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee comes here with a credit deal on top of the agenda.
He guessed that the government wants to sign a deal to take credits from an Indian bank at an interest rate seven percent higher than the World Bank rate, which will dent the dignity of the country.
“If there is any such agreement, then BNP will launch movement against it,” said the party leader and ex-minister.
The press conference was attended by Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, adviser to the Chairperson Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and press secretary to the chairperson Maruf Kamal Khan.
MK Anwar said the agreements signed with India, which his party thinks go against the interest of Bangladesh, should be placed in parliament and before the people.
“We knew India would give us loan. Now we are hearing an Indian bank will give Bangladesh credits against a high rate of interest. BNP is opposed to it,” he told the journalists.
Anwar made it clear that BNP wants friendly relations with India, not hostility. “But a government of an independent country cannot sign agreement surrendering national interest. So, we call upon the government to refrain from signing such an agreement.”
He lamented that the prime minister, during her visit to India early this year, gave permission of corridor through Bangladesh territory and port use, but she did nothing with India about Farakka barrage, water sharing, Tipaimukh, Tin- bigha corridor, maritime boundary, stopping the killing of innocent Bangladeshis near the border and trade gap.
Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is coming to Bangladesh Saturday on a day’s short visit when the two sides are to sign a deal on US$1 billion credit line for infrastructure building for the agreed transit facilities.
BDST/1915, AUGUST 6, 2010
