Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina says India 'tested' friend, thanks Modi govt for help during Covid, Ukraine war

In a television interview with news agency ANI, Hasina also lauded the Narendra Modi government's gesture of providing COVID-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries under its Vaccine Maitri programme when the pandemic was at its peak.

While emphasising closer cooperation between the two countries, she said differences can be there but those can be resolved with dialogue, and India and Bangladesh have done that on many issues.

"I really would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister that during this war between Russia and Ukraine, many of our students were just stuck, and they came to Poland for shelter. But when you evacuated your students, Indian students, they also brought our students back home. So it is really... You have shown a clearly friendly gesture. I thank Prime Minister (Modi) for this initiative," Prime Minister Hasina said.

Her response was in the context of a question about remarks often made by western observers that there was a lack of cooperation between SAARC nations.

She further praised India for being with Bangladesh in times of need and referred to it as a "tested" friend.

India stood by Bangladesh during its 1971 Liberation War and through the following decades.

"We always remember their contribution during our 1971 war. And besides that, even 1975, when we lost all my family members. So, the then Prime Minister, she gave us shelter in India. Besides that, you see, these two countries, we are neighbours, close neighbours and I always give importance and priority to friendship with our neighbouring countries," she said.

She also highlighted how India had shown positive intentions towards Bangladesh even during Covid as both Prime Minister Modi and the then President of India Ramnath Kovind as it celebrated 50 years of independence.

"I really thank Prime Minister Modi and also your honourable president. Both of them visited Bangladesh when we were celebrating our father of the nation birth centenary and also our independence, 50 years of our Independence Day, and our friendship with India. India recognised Bangladesh early on, so that bonding, I think that is our main priority. That their visit at such a time, even that time there was a COVID-19 pandemic but beside that both of them honoured us, honoured our people," she said.

During the interview, she also confessed how the lakhs of Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh were burdening its resources apart from other issues.

Hasina said she believes India could play a major role in resolving the issue.

"Well, you know... for us, it’s a big burden. India is a vast country. You can accommodate, but you don’t have much. But in our country, we have 1.1 million Rohingya. So, we are consulting with the international community and also our neighbouring countries. They should also take some steps so that they can go back home," she said.

While Bangladesh has done its best to accommodate the displaced community on humanitarian grounds, Hasina questioned how long could Rohingyas remain in her country and added that efforts should be made to send them back to their own country.

"Then some people engage in drug trafficking, some arms conflict, or women's trafficking. Day by day, it is increasing," she said.

"So as quickly as they return home, it is good for our country and also for Myanmar. We have been trying our best to pursue them. We’re discussing with them and also with the international community, like ASEAN or UN, and then other countries," she told ANI.

"But India, as a neighbouring country, can play a big role in it. I feel that," Hasina added.

On sharing the Teesta River territory, she said there were challenges but they could be solved mutually.

"It is very sad that we are in a... you know... downstream. So water is coming from India, so India should show more generosity. Because both countries will be beneficiaries. Sometimes our people suffer a lot because of this need for water. Especially Teesta, we could not go for harvest and so many problems took place.

"I think it should be solved but, yes, we found that the Prime Minister is very... you know... eager to solve this problem, but the problem is in your country. So... we hope that it should, you know... it should be solved," Hasina said.

She said India and Bangladesh share Ganges water, according to a treaty signed in the past. But there are another 54 rivers that flow from India to Bangladesh, where the issue of water sharing needs to be addressed.

She added that the two countries shared the water of the river Ganges. "Only Ganges water we share. The water, we signed the treaty. But we have another 54 rivers. Yes... It's a long-standing problem, so it should be solved," she said.