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Early Polls, No to Rakhine Corridor, Ready to Reset Ties With India: Senior BNP Leader To News18
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Former minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh are vital for the region and should be 'rebuilt' based on mutual respect
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, if elected, will seek new dialogue with India as bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries are vital for the region and should be 'rebuilt" based on mutual respect, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a standing committee member of the party, told News18.
In an exclusive interview from Dhaka, Chowdhury — a former commerce minister in ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's cabinet — stressed on the importance of rebuilding relations on equal footing. 'We are not against India. We want ties based on mutual interest and respect," he said.
Following the ban on the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is now the largest and most influential political party in the country, having governed for years under Khaleda Zia's leadership.
Chowdhury outlined the BNP's stance on key national and regional issues, stressing the urgent need for early elections, the proposed July Charter, the party's opposition to the Rakhine corridor, and the necessity of rebuilding relations with India based on mutual respect and a commitment to non-interference.
He underscored the need for a healthy neighbourhood policy. 'If the BNP comes to power, we will initiate fresh dialogue with India to rebuild bilateral relations, but we must be treated with respect and not as a junior partner. All issues can be discussed as two sovereign neighbours," he said, noting that India needs to recalibrate its approach as Bangladesh is a proud and freedom-loving country.
Chowdhury further mentioned that some in Bangladesh view India as interfering in their internal affairs, a perception that must change. 'India needs to commit to non-interference," he said.
He said future engagement between the two countries should rest on 'foundational values" promoting cooperation over confrontation. 'There are many issues that need to be addressed. We have to get these things right this time," he said about addressing unresolved issues.
On elections and the proposed July Charter, the BNP leader criticised the interim government's delay. 'We want elections to happen as soon as possible this year. The country has suffered enough and needs a safe, secure, and stable elected government," he said, adding that some decisions can only be made by an elected government.
Regarding the proposed Rakhine corridor, he expressed opposition to the humanitarian passage for aiding the Rohingya population. 'We want to make Bangladesh safe and secure, and our country stable and flourishing," he said, highlighting a significant shift in the geopolitical policies of the BNP.
First Published:
June 10, 2025, 08:00 IST
