Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Wednesday called upon India not to sign any defence deal during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi as the people of Bangladesh are against such an agreement.

“Bangladesh people are unaware of the (defence) deal and they also think there’s no necessity of it. So, we call upon our friendly country India to refrain from striking any such controversial agreement,” he said.

Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the call at a discussion arranged by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the Independence Day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to undertake a state visit from April 07-10 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Foreign Minister on Tuesday said Bangladesh and India may sign over 30 deals and MoUs during the Prime Minister’s tour.

Hasina will hold an official talk with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on April 8.

Amid the speculation that Hasina may sign a defence deal or MoU with India, BNP has long been saying that people will not accept such a deal as it may put the country’s independence and sovereignty at stake.

Mosharraf questioned the justification of signing the defence deal when Bangladesh is surrounded by India from three sides while the other side by the Bay of Bengal. “India is our very trusted friend. We don’t think Bangladesh will be attacked by India. So, the Prime Minister should tell people the reason for signing the deal.”

He warned that the country’s people will resist with all-out efforts if any anti-state and illogical deal is signed with India.

The BNP leader suggested the Prime Minister to attach main priority to resolving water problem with India during her tour. “People’s main expectation is to have the Teesta deal signed. Your visit will be fruitless if you can’t sign the agreement.”

He criticised the government for suspending three BNP-backed mayors recently after joining office following the Supreme Court order. “It’s an unprecedented incident.”

Coming down hard on Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his remark that the Prime Minister is unaware of the three mayors’ suspension, Mosharraf questioned who is running the country when such a major decision was taken out of the Prime Minister’s knowledge.