Prime Minister Not Invited to BRICS Summit with Proper Dignity: Speaker Major Hafiz
Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has emphasized that Bangladesh seeks friendly global relations with all nations, including India, anchored strictly on mutual respect, dignity, and shared interests. Interacting with journalists at the Bhola Circuit House following a high-level administrative meeting, he noted that while maintaining strong neighborly ties is essential, the amicable relationship Bangladesh envisions is not always reciprocated. He pointed out that bilateral communication currently remains largely confined to diplomatic channels, though he expressed optimism that future engagements will strengthen cooperation based on sovereign equality and mutual dignity.
Highlighting specific diplomatic contentions, Mr. Hafiz Uddin stated that India showed minimal enthusiasm regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the BRICS summit and failed to invite Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with appropriate state dignity. Furthermore, he criticized New Delhi for sheltering the PM of the ousted autocratic administration and permitting her to conduct political activities from foreign soil. He reiterated that regional stability depends on genuine cooperation, non-interference, and a clear understanding of mutual national interests between neighboring states.
Addressing the country’s domestic trajectory, the Speaker reflected on the historic mass uprising that toppled the previous regime, paving the way for an interim administration and a subsequent fair election held in February of this year, which brought the BNP to power. He stated that the newly established government, currently seven months into its tenure, requires adequate time to reverse the systemic damage, widespread corruption, money laundering, and institutional degradation inflicted over seventeen years of prolonged authoritarian rule. Despite these immense challenges, he affirmed that development initiatives are already underway.
Drawing attention to past human rights violations, Mr. Hafiz Uddin remarked that citizens have finally reclaimed their fundamental freedom of speech after years of suppression where speaking the truth carried severe risks. He recalled the dark era marked by extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, specifically citing former BNP members of parliament M. Ilias Ali and M. A. Parvez. He stressed that a responsible ruling party and a constructive opposition must exercise mutual restraint to steer the nation out of long-standing deprivation, expressing confidence that expected governance outcomes will materialize following the full implementation of the July Charter and vital constitutional reforms.
During the visit, the Speaker also addressed local infrastructural development demands, notably receiving a memorandum from the civic organization ‘Amra Volabashi’ for the rapid construction of the Bhola-Barishal bridge. Representatives underscored that the long-awaited bridge would drastically transform communication, trade, education, and healthcare across twenty-two southern districts. Mr. Hafiz Uddin received the memorandum with utmost sincerity, assuring citizens that he would discuss the critical project directly with the PM to accelerate its implementation process.
