Country’s interests to be protected in Farakka treaty renewal: Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the Farakka Barrage agreement would be renewed while fully safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interests.

He said India would have to take the initiative for renewing the treaty as its current term is set to expire this year.

Mirza Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital, marking the 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," he said.

Fakhrul said Bangladesh will not allow any agreement to be signed by compromising its interests, reports BSS.

"India should come forward to renew the agreement. In this case, everything will be accomplished by protecting the interests of Bangladesh," he added.

Mentioning that the Ganga Water Sharing Agreement will expire in 2026, the minister said in the meantime, the incumbent government's decision to build the Padma Barrage is a historic one.

The decision to build the Padma Barrage has been taken very quickly for the people's benefits, he said.

He further said the country's people should move on the basis 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 said.

Mirza Fakhrul said a vested quarter is hatching plot against the government of Tarique Rahman, which was elected by the people.

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

“We believe in independence. No conspiracy against Bangladesh will be allowed to raise its head,” he said.

Senior BNP leaders, water and environmental experts, and representatives of civil society attended the programme organised to highlight the significance of Farakka Long March Day.

The speakers called for national unity to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of river water and protect the country’s national interests.