Amir Khasru: Defence deal with India will harm Bangladesh’s sovereignty

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that a defence deal with India was unnecessary at present. According to the BNP leader the proposed deal, which will likely be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s impending Delhi visit, will threaten the sovereignty of Bangladesh. Speaking at a discussion meeting in Dhaka organised by the Bangladesh Labour Party regarding the impact of such a deal on sovereignty and national security, he said: “Bangladesh and India have many pending bilateral issues, including the Teesta water sharing treaty. Why are they rushing the defence deal without prioritising other long-standing issues?” Khasru questioned Dhaka and Delhi’s motive for signing a defence deal or a memorandum of understanding during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India from April 7 to 10. “Civil society, the opposition party; no one knows anything about this proposed deal. There was no proper discussion in parliament about this. So why does Bangladesh need this deal so desperately?” he asked. He further added that though people in the country often stayed silent regarding the government’s many errors of judgment, the defence deal would incite them to speak up in protest. In agreement with his views, the Bangladesh Labour Party announced that they would stage a demonstration in protest of the proposed defence deal on April 9. BNP, however, has yet to release an official statement on this topic.