However, her arch-rivals, who think “she sold out the country’s interest”, plan to launch a nationwide agitation against the government.
“The trip was aimed at establishing peace in South Asia and strengthening the relationship between neighbours,” Hasina told reporters after her return from New Delhi on Wednesday evening. “The trip has consolidated efforts for regional development and elimination of poverty.” But her opponents, who find fault with all her actions, said Bangladesh would not benefit from the three agreements signed during the visit.
“We don’t see any gain from the prime minister’s visit to India,” Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary-general Khandaker Delwar Hossain said. “The BNP will not allow any compromise on the country’s independence and sovereignty.”
The BNP standing committee discussed the visit critically and decided that party chairperson Khaleda Zia would address a news conference in this regard on Saturday. The BNP’s ally, the Jamaat-i-Islami, has also criticised Sheikh Hasina for “compromising national interest”. Thousands of Awami League activists chanting ‘Joy Bangla’slogan and waving banners and throwing flowers, greeted Hasina along her route from the airport to her official residence.
Hasina said agreements signed by Bangladesh and India would benefit the people from both the countries as well as Bhutan, Nepal and the rest of the region.