Staff Correspondent:

Responding to criticisms concerning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to India and upcoming trip to China, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has spelt out the nature of Bangladesh’s relationship with these two countries.

“We [Bangladesh] have a partnership with China for development but India is our political friend,” the road transport minister said at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Hill Fruit Fair’ in Dhaka’s Bailey Road on Saturday.

Quader said, “Our foreign policy is friendship with all and enmity for none. The policy developed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is also Hasina’s and we follow it.”

“India is our known friend from the Liberation War. Our relationship is forged with bonds of blood from 1971.”

The road, transport and bridges minister said, “Where we get opportunities for our development, why shouldn’t we take them? We need help. Why shouldn’t we take it when help is needed? Some people are envious and their hearts burn with it. We have completed the elevated expressway, Padma Bridge and the metro rail. I don’t want to answer the questions to those dying of such burning hearts.”

Stating an example of cooperation with China, he said: “Chattogram’s Bangabandhu Tunnel – the only one in South Asia to pass under a river. Who made it? The Chinese. They are also working to build the four-lane Dhaka-Chattogram Highway. The closing ceremony of the Padma Bridge was to be held on Friday, both the main bridge and the river development for the project were implemented by a Chinese company.”