Staff Reporter :
Former Foreign Minister and Awami League Member of Parliament, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with India for Bangladesh’s benefit.
The former minister said, “Many will say we haven’t gained anything; however, several lakhs of people from our country are easily going to India for medical treatment or for shopping. This is a significant gain. If we had a bad relationship, we would have suffered.”
Dr. Momen made these remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the Education Research and Development Forum (ERDF) on the occasion of the Awami League’s 75th anniversary on Friday.
He highlighted that both Bangladesh and India have achieved significant gains due to the robust relationship between the two nations.
“Due to our strong relationship, we have successfully resolved border issues—a challenging matter! We haven’t engaged in disputes like some other countries; we have set boundaries without spending a bullet. This is due to the policy of the Awami League,” he said.
“Secondly, we have divided water resources. We have defined our maritime boundaries. These are significant achievements. India has also made a lot of progress. Their eastern borders need not be worried about that. They need not spend billions of dollars for it,” he said.
“Indian development is sustainable due to good relations. If we want to make our development sustainable, we have to make friends and maintain friendly relations with others. We need internal and regional stability,” he said.
Apart from that, he further stated that Bangladesh does not want any proxy wars in the Asian region.
“We do not want any proxy war in the Asian region. If there is war, developing countries will be affected, and the area where the war occurs will be destroyed. The neighbouring developed countries like Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia would also face economic deterioration,” he said.
He said, “Our vision is for peace and stability. We do not desire any proxy war in this region. Furthermore, we need research on this.”
About global politics, he said that it was time for Bangladesh to give advice instead of receiving it.
“What should be the future of the world or what should be the US foreign policy? We would now give advice. It is not the time for us to receive advice. It is time to give advice,” he added.
“From now on, Bangladesh will not receive US advice; rather, it will give them advice. If the US continues its narrow foreign policy or outlook, they will be regarded as ‘black sheep’ before the world,” he said.