For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Saturday) said the Farakka agreement should be signed with India, maintaining Bangladesh's interests.
He made the remark while addressing a discussion organised by BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium, marking the Farakka Long March Day, BSS reports.
"I want to convey a clear message to the Indian government that the Farakka agreement must be formulated through talks with Bangladesh, keeping its interests....the opportunity created to establish good relations with India will depend on the signing of the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement or the Farakka Agreement," he said.
Fakhrul said Bangladesh will not allow any agreement to be signed by compromising its interests.
"India should come forward to renew the agreement. In this case, everything will be accomplished by protecting the interests of Bangladesh," he added.
Mentioning that the Ganga Water Sharing Agreement will expire in 2026, the minister said in the meantime, the incumbent government's decision to build the Padma Barrage is a historic one.
The decision to build the Padma Barrage has been taken very quickly for the people's benefits, he said.
He further said the country's people should move on the basis of sovereignty and national unity.
"If we are united on the issue of the motherland, no one will be able to raise their heads against the country by any conspiracy. The neighbouring country is doing injustice in the name of the Farakka Dam," he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said a vested quarter is hatching plot against the government of Tarique Rahman, which was elected by the people.
"Some forces are spreading propaganda against this government. We have to organise ourselves so that none can destroy the stability of the government," he said.
The BNP secretary general said the people of this country achieved democracy with their own blood and they will never let conspiracy emerge here.
Senior BNP leaders, eminent water and environmental experts and representatives from civil society were present at the meeting.
The speakers called upon all to unite to achieve fair share of the country's river water and protect national interests.