Despite BNP’s efforts to fix its relations with India, New Delhi will never trust a party, which is pro-Pakistan and has an ally like the Jamaat-e-Islami, according HT Imam, the political affairs adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Describing the BNP as an ‘extension of Jamaat’, he said in Delhi, “The party rides on the back of Jamaat and (its student affiliate) Shibir as it has no organisational strength. Why would India, all of a sudden trust such a pro-Pakistani element?”

His remarks came on Saturday during an interaction with senior fellows of think-tank Observer Research Foundation.

“How does a democratic nation put its confidence on a party which nominated a fugitive convicted criminal to lead it?” Imam said in a clear reference to Tarique Rahman, who is filling in for his mother Khaleda Zia after she was jailed for corruption in February.

On the recent India visit of a BNP delegation, which had series of meetings with Indian politicians, Imam said, “One of three member of that delegation ... I won’t take any names ... is known to be an agent of Pakistan and China.”

According to him, there’s no reason for India to “take a suicidal decision to support the BNP or fall in to a trap by the Pakistanis”.

Citing Teesta water sharing issues not a big deal, Imam said, “Today or tomorrow treaty over water sharing (of Teesta River) will be made.”

Does the government give in to Hefataz’s pressure?

Quashing an allegation on the Awami League government bending to Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam’s pressure, Imam said, “(You people) see, the number of the followers of Hefazt. Hundreds of thousands of Qouami students are involved with the organisation. So, they can’t be dealt with force it brings the opposite result.”

“So, we have dealt with the Hefazat tactfully and started getting the outcome. Now, many Quami students have started supporting Awami League now.”

China not a factor in politics of Bangladesh

Denying the China’s growing influencing on Bangladesh’ military and foreign policy, Imam said, “China’s relation with us Bangladesh is totally based on trade. They have no interest to politics in Bangladesh”

“They (China) only want a politically stable government, favourable for investment” he said.

No political party in Bangladesh now seek Beijing’s blessing, he said in an apparent effort to assure India that it has nothing to worry about the “so-called China factor.”