NCP to pursue legal options if dialogue with India fails to resolve outstanding issues

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has pledged to seek resolutions to Bangladesh's longstanding unresolved issues with India through structured dialogue at the highest political and diplomatic levels, warning that it will pursue legal and multilateral avenues if such efforts fail.

The commitment was outlined in the party's election manifesto titled "Manifesto of Youth and Dignity", unveiled today (30 January) by NCP Convener Nahid Islam at a city hotel in Dhaka.

The manifesto states that the party will initiate comprehensive dialogue on all unresolved matters, including what it described as "unequal" agreements signed during the Awami League era, border killings, Bangladesh's fair share of transboundary river waters, and alleged intrusions into the country's sovereign maritime zone in the Bay of Bengal.

Nahid Islam said, "If bilateral talks collapse due to a lack of cooperation from India, Bangladesh would consider strategic, legal, and multilateral alternatives to protect its national interests."

In that case, Bangladesh will demonstrate the highest level of resolve in safeguarding state interests through international organisations, arbitration mechanisms, and international courts, he said.

The manifesto also emphasises strengthening economic and strategic relations with China, with a focus on increasing Chinese investment in Bangladesh and facilitating greater technology transfer.

The party said it will consider any threat to the lives, property and security of the people of Bangladesh due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar as a "direct violation" of national security.

In this case, NCP said it will be ready to take all necessary defensive and preventive measures to protect the security and interests of citizens.