Interim government's Advisor for Shipping, Labor, and Employment Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain stated that India does not provide goods to Bangladesh for free; they charge for it. If India decides to halt trade, let them. They stopped the cattle trade, but that doesn't mean we no longer eat beef. If trade stops, India will be the one economically affected.
Speaking to journalists following a visit to the Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira on Saturday (December 7) afternoon, Dr Sakhawat responded to a question with these remarks.
He further explained that millions of people are connected to the trade relations between the two countries. While political blockades occur occasionally on both sides, they may cause temporary issues for a day or two.
However, Indian traders would not accept such disruptions as they value this market and wouldn't want to destroy it. Therefore, there is no reason for us to worry.
During the conversation, the advisor also spoke about false propaganda by Indian media.
He said that such propaganda harms India more than Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh desire friendly relations with India, but such actions make them take a stand against India.
Despite gaining TRPs by spreading rumors, Indian media is alienating itself from the people of Bangladesh, he added.
Earlier in the day, Dr Sakhawat arrived at the Bhomra Land Port at noon. He inspected immigration facilities to ensure that passport holders from both India and Bangladesh were not facing any harassment. He also reviewed facilities such as the luggage scanner, cargo weighing scale, and various sheds at the port.
Following the inspection, he attended a stakeholder meeting organized by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority in the conference hall at the Bhomra Land Port.
