Bangladesh has welcomed the Chinese proposal to build China-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor but the final decision will be made after assessing the pros and cons.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said so Wednesday, adding that any third-country reaction "won't be taken into consideration".
"We are assessing the Chinese proposals, including the economic corridor, put forward during the Prime Minister's recent visit. We have welcomed this proposal and personally I think that this will help in expanding our trade," she said while talking to a group of reporters at the foreign ministry.
"It's a communications channel…If communications will be easier, then our trade will be expanded significantly. Whether there are complications or problems, the ministries concerned will assess it and after that final decision on the corridor will be taken," she notes.
Asked whether the government will take third country's reaction into account while evaluating the Chinese proposals, the state minister said, "We have been telling since the beginning of this government that Bangladesh's foreign policy will be determined on the basis of national interest and the demand of the people. So if these proposals will benefit Bangladesh and its people, we shall definitely consider those"
She adds: "From Bangladesh point of view, we have unique relationship with each country. We do not think that if we have elevated our ties with a certain country that will affect our ties with another country. Our objective is to materialise our national interest by maintaining good ties with all countries."
Regarding Teesta, she says China will provide technical support for the feasibility study. Previously, there were some initiatives but there was no complete feasibility study on the project.
"Apart from Teesta, they also want to help us in river management of other rivers."
The minister says the Prime Minister's China visit has definitely elevated the bilateral ties to a new high.
"We have very good ties with China all along and they are a very strong partner in our socioeconomic development. We expect that Chinese investment in Bangladesh will be increased very much after this visit."
Asked about government efforts to bring back siphoned-off money, she said that during the last regime, money was laundered to several countries and Bangladesh has good ties with them.
"Though it is a very time-consuming process and there are certain mechanisms, we have discussions with these countries and by signing agreements with some of these countries, we have moved one step ahead," she explains.
In response to a question regarding any progress on the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, the state minister informs that there is no update.
"This is under process. After committing such huge crimes, she has fled to India and staying there. Since she is convicted for her crime, we must bring her back home to implement the court verdict," she adds. Responding to a question, she said Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Md Hafiz Uddin Ahmed would attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader of Iran on behalf of Bangladesh government.
"Bangladesh has always very good bilateral ties with Iran. They have invited us to take part in the funeral," she adds.
Asked about the participation of leaders from Jamaat E Islami and other parties in the funeral, the state minister says they might join the programme but they are not part of the government delegation.
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