TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said she does not sell Bangladesh as they liberated the country which everyone should keep in mind.

The prime minister made the comments at a press conference held at Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday over her recent visit to India.

She also commented that there is no harm in providing transit facilities to India since it would ultimately contribute to this country’s economy.

When asked about the issue of giving rail transit to the neighbouring country, the prime minister said, “Bangladesh is an independent country and we made this country independent by the Liberation War. Those who criticise should know that only one allied force [India] stood by our freedom fighters to make the country independent.”

Giving examples of allied forces that are still staying in different countries, she said India is an exception in this regard while American troops are still in Japan and Russian troops in Germany now.

When Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted India to take back its soldiers, she said, the then prime minister Indira Gandhi agreed to the matter and did so.

“Even then, some talk about the issue that Bangladesh will be sold to India. How do they say this? In fact, those who talk like this are themselves sold to India.”

Asking a counter-question of what the harm is if one country gives transit to another, Sheikh Hasina said, “We are opening the rail routes [with India] gradually which were closed and it is making a huge contribution to the economy. Will we keep our doors shut in Bangladesh?

“Look at Europe where there are no borders. Is one country selling itself to another country there?”

The prime minister said Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country. “I have opened all communication systems and people will benefit from it.”

Sheikh Hasina went to New Delhi on 21 June on a two-day state visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

During the visit, Dhaka and New Delhi signed seven memorandums of understanding and renewed three others to further consolidate the ever-growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.