Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said India is a political friend of Bangladesh while China has contributed a lot to the country as a development partner.

Noting that Bangladesh will take opportunities from anywhere for the sake of the country’s development, he said: “Bangladesh's relationship with India is good. So, I have been able to take many advantages. India is a political friend of Bangladesh and China is a development friend. China has contributed to many developments (projects) in this country.” 

The minister said these at the inaugural session of the week-long ‘Hilly Fruits Fair-2024’ at Sheikh Hasina Chittagong Hill Tracts History Protection and Research Centre in city’s Baily Road area as chief guest.

The fair that began today under the arrangement of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs will end on July 12.

Highlighting the achievements of Bangladesh from India, Quader said: “What has the post-75 political party achieved by keeping hostile relations with India for 21 years?”

“We (the AL led government) got a sea equal to Bangladesh as Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi have good relationship with each other. In continuation of that, the government solved the enclave problem,” he added.

Noting that a country can resolve problems and disputes by holding discussions if it maintains good relations with other countries, he said Premier Sheikh Hasina has been able to take many benefits from India, including the Ganges Treaty. 

Those who talk big had forgotten about the Ganges, he said, adding that Bangladesh never returned with empty hand earlier and even today.

AL general secretary further said: “We have a partnership with China, why don't we take help if we get the opportunity? We will take help from wherever we need help for the development of the country.”

Many people became jealous seeing the country’s development spree such as construction of Metrorail, Padma Bridge and Expressway, he said, adding that the government does not need to reply the questions of those jealous people.

Obaidul Quader said that the scenario of Bangladesh has changed a lot due to the development carried out in last 16 years. 

With the current development spree, the hill region has also been changed, he said, adding that now the three hill districts are much improved in road communication.

A total of 42 bridges have been inaugurated in Khagrachari simultaneously, he said, adding that the border road is being constructed.

He hoped that if any problem exists there, it will be solved in the days to come under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Obaidur Quader said that higher quality fruits are produced in three hill districts.

Once upon a time, pineapple was the main fruit there, but now many types of fruits are being produced, he added.

Earlier, the fruits got rotten for lack of communication system, he said, adding that today, delicious fruits from the hills come to Dhaka as the country is witnessing massive development in communication system.

He said better quality fruits than Singapore are produced in Bangladesh’s hill areas.

About the release of Khaleda Zia, the minister said BNP seeks intervention of the United Nations (UN) regarding their demand for releasing Begum Zia. 

“The party is using Khaleda Zia as a shield,” Quader said, adding that her release is a matter of law.

He believed that BNP will now resort to the quota movement.

A case is going on in court regarding the quota system, he said.

With State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Kujendra Lal Tripura in the chair, the inauguration ceremony of the fair was attended, among others, by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Naheed Ezaher Khan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dipankar Talukder, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing, lawmaker Jarati Tanchangya and Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs A K M Shamimul Huq Siddique.