Farakka Deal Must Protect Bangladesh's Interests, Mirza Fakhrul to India

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday stated that any future Farakka agreement must be signed with India by strictly maintaining Bangladesh's national interests. 

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organized by the party at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital, marking the historic Farakka Long March Day.

"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," Fakhrul said. 

He emphasized that Bangladesh will not allow any agreement to be signed by compromising its interests, adding, "India should come forward to renew the agreement. In this case, everything will be accomplished by protecting the interests of Bangladesh."

Mentioning that the current Ganga Water Sharing Agreement is set to expire later this year in 2026, the minister highlighted that, in the meantime, the incumbent government's decision to construct the Padma Barrage is a historic milestone. 

He noted that the decision to build the Padma Barrage has been taken very quickly for the ultimate benefit of the country's people. He further noted that the citizens of Bangladesh must move forward on the foundation 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 asserted.

Shifting focus to internal politics, Mirza Fakhrul alleged that a vested quarter is actively hatching plots against the newly elected government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. 

"Some forces are spreading propaganda against this government. We have to organise ourselves so that none can destroy the stability of the government," he warned. 

The BNP secretary general reiterated that the people of this country achieved democracy with their own blood and will never allow any new conspiracies to take root.

The high-level meeting was attended by senior BNP leaders, eminent water and environmental experts, and representatives from civil society. 

Throughout the discussion, the speakers called upon the entire population to stand united to achieve a fair share of the country's international river waters and robustly protect national interests.