Hasina returned from India empty-handed: Khaleda

India has given nothing to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit except assurances, BNP chief Khaleda Zia has said.

“She had to return home empty-handed -- with nothing, but with some assurances,” she said at a press conference at her Gulshan residence on Wednesday.

“Only the deals proposed and prioritised by India were signed during this visit, keeping with the old pattern,” said the former prime minister in her response to Hasina’s visit to India.

Hasina said 11 deals and 24 memoranda of understanding were signed during the tour she termed as ‘very satisfying’.

But Khaleda claimed the people saw it as the Bangladesh government’s failure to secure its interests from its stronger neighbour.

She was sceptical about defence deals with New Delhi, saying the Awami League government was advised against the agreements by many political groups and civil society members.

“But some very sensitive MoUs were still signed, setting aside the people’s concerns. We are worried about their long-term impacts.”

Khaleda also said these agreements would be reconsidered if her party is elected to power.