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The main opposition BNP is apparently backtracking on its traditional 'anti-India stance' ahead of the Indian prime minister's visit to Bangladesh early next month.
Several BNP leaders cited the current international political trend and improving Indo-US relations as the reasons for the policy shift.
We can't ignore the trend of international politics. Continuous opposition to India will not bring any good for us, rather we will oppose on some specific issues, mentioned a member of party's standing committee, asking not to be named.
Another member of the committee Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said they want to be pragmatic regarding relations with India and claimed his party is not anti-Indian.
India has become an important force in world politics and we expect more constructive and cooperative attitude from them towards its neighbours. We also hope all the Indo-Bangla deals will be penned in a win-win situation, noted the former army chief.
Despite the shift in its policy, BNP will mount a campaign against the probable deals including transit, Teesta water sharing and joint border management with India to be signed during its premier's visit to Bangladesh early next month, party insiders said.
Addressing a mass hunger strike programme at the Institute of Engineers premises on July 13, party Chairperson Khaleda Zia categorically said they would not allow implementing the deals regarding transit, a joint power plant project and a special economic zone in Sylhet.
The party high-ups believe the protest would gain public support as the anti-India sentiment is still strong among the Bangladeshis.
Khaleda is expected to pay a courtesy call on Indian Premier Manmohan Singh during his visit on September 6-7. But the party forum is yet to discuss the agenda for the meeting.
Asked about the chairperson's stance on Indo-Bangla relations, her adviser and former ambassador Sabihuddin Ahmed said, We want friendship with India who stood beside us during our liberation war. But the relationship must be based on mutual trust and the leader of the opposition will convey this to the Indian premier.
The issue came to the forefront when party standing committee member Goyeswar Chandra Roy on Saturday threatened to enforce hartal during Manmohan's visit if the contents of the deals are not made public before signing.
But surprisingly both Khaleda Zia and Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday brushed aside Goyeswar's comment, saying BNP would welcome the visit and hoped the treaties will be inked protecting the country's interest.
While talking to The Daily Star Goyeswar himself shifted from his earlier views regarding hartal, saying I just said it [about hartal] out of my passion without thinking much. It was only my personal opinion which I shared without consulting my party colleagues.
He, however, drew attention to the chairperson's latest remark insisting they would forge a movement if the country's interest is compromised in the deals.
Last month, BNP also showed a soft attitude towards the visit of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Welcoming her visit BNP hoped this trip would contribute to resolve the long-standing disputes between the two neighbours.
BNP previously criticised the Ganga water sharing treaty signed by the last Awami League government, claiming the deal did not serve the country's interest.
Besides, they also censured AL for entering in the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace treaty and accused India for fuelling unrest in the hills.
BNP also blasted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her 'failed' tour to India last year for what they claimed giving everything to India without achieving anything for the country.
BNP to soften its anti-India stance for now
Several BNP leaders cited the current international political trend and improving Indo-US relations as the reasons for the policy shift.
We can't ignore the trend of international politics. Continuous opposition to India will not bring any good for us, rather we will oppose on some specific issues, mentioned a member of party's standing committee, asking not to be named.
Another member of the committee Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said they want to be pragmatic regarding relations with India and claimed his party is not anti-Indian.
India has become an important force in world politics and we expect more constructive and cooperative attitude from them towards its neighbours. We also hope all the Indo-Bangla deals will be penned in a win-win situation, noted the former army chief.
Despite the shift in its policy, BNP will mount a campaign against the probable deals including transit, Teesta water sharing and joint border management with India to be signed during its premier's visit to Bangladesh early next month, party insiders said.
Addressing a mass hunger strike programme at the Institute of Engineers premises on July 13, party Chairperson Khaleda Zia categorically said they would not allow implementing the deals regarding transit, a joint power plant project and a special economic zone in Sylhet.
The party high-ups believe the protest would gain public support as the anti-India sentiment is still strong among the Bangladeshis.
Khaleda is expected to pay a courtesy call on Indian Premier Manmohan Singh during his visit on September 6-7. But the party forum is yet to discuss the agenda for the meeting.
Asked about the chairperson's stance on Indo-Bangla relations, her adviser and former ambassador Sabihuddin Ahmed said, We want friendship with India who stood beside us during our liberation war. But the relationship must be based on mutual trust and the leader of the opposition will convey this to the Indian premier.
The issue came to the forefront when party standing committee member Goyeswar Chandra Roy on Saturday threatened to enforce hartal during Manmohan's visit if the contents of the deals are not made public before signing.
But surprisingly both Khaleda Zia and Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday brushed aside Goyeswar's comment, saying BNP would welcome the visit and hoped the treaties will be inked protecting the country's interest.
While talking to The Daily Star Goyeswar himself shifted from his earlier views regarding hartal, saying I just said it [about hartal] out of my passion without thinking much. It was only my personal opinion which I shared without consulting my party colleagues.
He, however, drew attention to the chairperson's latest remark insisting they would forge a movement if the country's interest is compromised in the deals.
Last month, BNP also showed a soft attitude towards the visit of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Welcoming her visit BNP hoped this trip would contribute to resolve the long-standing disputes between the two neighbours.
BNP previously criticised the Ganga water sharing treaty signed by the last Awami League government, claiming the deal did not serve the country's interest.
Besides, they also censured AL for entering in the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace treaty and accused India for fuelling unrest in the hills.
BNP also blasted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her 'failed' tour to India last year for what they claimed giving everything to India without achieving anything for the country.
BNP to soften its anti-India stance for now
