Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday warned that Bangladesh’s people will not accept any deal, except the one on Teesta water sharing, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming India tour.

Speaking at a press conference, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make public her discussion agenda during the India visit.

“We’ve seen in newspapers that the Prime Minister is probably going to India on April 8. The country’s people may not accept any other deal other than Teesta water or other rivers’ water sharing one. They also won’t accept any deal that may go against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and its interests,” he said. 

Referring to Indian media reports, the BNP leader said a defence deal for 25 years is going to be signed with India during Hasina’s tour. “We don’t know what’s actually going to happen. That’s why we want the government to come up with the contents of possible discussions,” said the BNP secretary general.

The press conference was arranged at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies.

Fakhrul said their party has been expecting over the last 11 years that the country will at least get Teesta water as Awami League has very good relations with India. “We still didn’t get it, not even a drop of water. Not only that, India is also clearly saying it won’t be possible to give water.”

He alleged that Bangladesh is also not getting the due share of waters from the 54 common rivers with India. “But, we’ve given them (India) all necessary facilities. They’re given transit facilities and allowing the use of roads and waterways and ports. Bangladesh has so far not got any facility from them.”

Voicing concern over the continuous killing of Bangladeshis along the border by BSF, he hoped that the Prime Minister will talk about the issue during her visit.

Sought comment about parliament’s recognition of March 25 as the Mass Killing Day, Fakhrul said their party’s position is always against the mass killing and it supports those who are involved in the Liberation War.

About the procurement of two submarines from China for Bangladesh Navy, he said their party will welcome if the submarines work properly and can defeat enemy ships.