BNP Member of Parliament Golam Mohammad Siraj has remarked that while a divorce can occur between a husband and wife, there can be no “divorce” in the relationship between Bangladesh and its neighbouring country, India.
Participating in the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) on Monday, he said neither India nor Bangladesh can deny each other even if they wish to. Consequently, he argued that the relationship between the two nations must be friendly, dignified, and based on mutual respect.
“The relationship between a husband and wife may be temporary, and a divorce can happen. But the neighbouring relationship between India and Bangladesh cannot have a divorce. It is never possible to deny a neighbour- neither India nor Bangladesh can do it,” Siraj said.
He further stressed that maintaining a friendly and honourable relationship is essential for the interests of the people of both countries.
Referring to recent remarks by the new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, the BNP lawmaker noted that the high commissioner had spoken of the bilateral relationship in “poetic language”.
Trivedi had observed that both countries exist under the same sky and breathe the same air, necessitating mutual friendship. However, Siraj raised questions regarding why anti-India reactions and debates continue to surface on social and electronic media despite such sentiments.
The MP also expressed grave concern over the issue of “push-ins”- referred to as “push-backs” by India. He urged the current Indian government to cease these actions and focus on winning the hearts of the people. “We want to build a relationship of hearts between the people of India and Bangladesh. We do not want anti-India or anti-Bangladesh sentiments to grow; we want peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Additionally, Siraj highlighted the spread of narcotics through border routes as a critical issue. He described drugs as a “greater disease than push-ins,” warning that this “all-consuming” menace is destroying the youth, students, and society as a whole. He concluded his speech by emphasising that the Bangladesh-India relationship should move forward based on mutual respect, trust, and public engagement.
