Resolving Teesta issue depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said resolving the Teesta water sharing issue mainly depends on India and the vast neighbouring country should have a role in sending Rohingyas back home in Myanmar.

In the interview with Indian multimedia news agency ANI ahead of her four-day state visit to New Delhi, she touched upon a number of issues such as India's support for Bangladesh, economic cooperation and India-China relations.  

"It's a long standing problem, so it should be solved. But it depends mainly on India.

"We found that the (Indian) Prime Minister (Modi) is very eager to solve this problem, but the problem is in your country," she said, recalling her meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in March last year when she reiterated Bangladesh's long-drawn request for resolving Teesta water sharing issue.

Replying to a question on how Bangladesh is balancing its relationship with India and China, Hasina referred to the country's foreign policy followed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"Our foreign policy is very clear. Friendship to all, malice to none, which my father, father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said in his address in UNO. And we follow his ideology."

Hasina made it clear that her government would take help from any country to improve people's lives, stating,"We have only one enemy that is poverty."

"And for our development we need cooperation from any country who offers us, which is of course, which is suitable for our country," the prime minister said.

Making Bangladesh's position clear about India-China relationship, she said neighbouring countries should solve bilaterally if they have any problem and Bangladesh would not interfere in that issue.

"I want the development of my country and because India is our just next door neighbour, we have a very good relationship," Hasina said, citing the "friendly gesture" that helped in solving the land boundary and exchanging enclaves.

On Rohingya issue, Prime Minister Hasina referred to consultations with the international community and neighbouring countries for the repatriation of 1.1 million Rohingyas.  "... for us it's a big burden…As soon as they return home it is good for our country and also for Myanmar," she said, stating that India as a neighbouring country "can play a big role in it".

She also replied to questions on attacks on Hindu people and temples, reiterating that Bangladesh is a secular country and there is religious harmony.

"But some incidents sometimes take place but immediately we take action…Even in India also sometimes minorities suffer," she added.

About her son's joining politics, she said "it's up to him." She took political questions like viable opposition and recalled attempts on her life several times.

The prime minister recalled with gratitude India's support and sheltering refugees during 1971 liberation war, again in 1975, when she and her sister took shelter in India after assassination of Bangabandhu along with the rest of the family.

"So when we returned to Delhi, it was perhaps 24th August, then I met Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi…She made all the arrangements for us, a job for my husband and this Pandara Road house," she recalled those painful memories.