Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said today that the country's development was much dependent on having good relations with India since there is several thousands of kilometers-long border between the two nations. Talking to reporters at the foreign ministry in Dhaka, Mahmud said the country cannot afford to go against the neighboring country for the sake of having peace and tranquility at home.
Mahmud made the remark in reply to a question on the BNP's recent failed bid to kick-start an Indian goods boycott. He said such bids are bound to fail and would be turned down by the people if the BNP raises it again. He said any fresh bid to boycott Indian products would only help the BNP become isolated from the people without bringing any tangible benefit.
Mahmud sarcastically pointed out that some BNP leaders who are campaigning for the boycott of Indian products have such products in their homes. Mahmud said the BNP bid to boycott Indian products is aimed at creating economic instability to destabilize the domestic market and seed disorder in the country's economy.
Overall, Mahmud's statements brought out the interdependence of the fortunes of Bangladesh and India. He emphasized that good relations are in the best interest of both sides for reaching higher development levels.
