Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (22 October) on a two-day official visit.
Before leaving Dhaka on Monday (October 23) Sushma Swaraj will have a meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at a 'convenient place'; such indication has been found after talking with at least 8 standing committee leaders of BNP.
Though a Sushma- Khaleda Khaleda in Hotel Sonargaon during the last visit of Sushma Swaraj in 2014, this time their meeting may hold at ‘Firoza’, the residence of BNP chairperson which is situated in the road no 79, Gulshan. The BNP has also been asked to make preparations in this regard from India.
However, none of the BNP leaders agreed to comment on the exact location of the meeting. Almost every leader who worked on the foreign policy of the party avoided the matter.
But only one responsible leader remarked, ‘Though Khaleda Zia does not hold any position in the present parliament, there is not any protocol related barrier if Sushma Swaraj and Khaleda Zia meet in the Khaleda's residence.’
BNP standing committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told the Bangla Tribune, ‘It may be the continuation of the previous meeting. This time, this meeting is more relevant because of the Rohingya issue, and upcoming national poll issue.’
The BNP sources said that BNP got new hope when BJP formed the Indian government in May 2014. However, as Pranab Mukherjee, an influential leader of Congress became the President; BNP’s hope does not meet the reality. Later, when Ram Nath Kovind, the former President of BJP Dalit Morcha was elected the Indian President, BNP got a glimmer of hope.
A reliable source who works in the foreign affairs of BNP claimed, ‘China is alarmed regarding the Bangladesh China relation and the possibility of the new political equation in the South Asian region. Especially, the incident of BD china submarine deal motivated India to find a new friend in Dhaka. As a result, it is necessary for India to enhance relationships with BNP regarding the upcoming national election.’
Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon, special secretary of Foreign Affairs, BNP told the Bangla Tribune, ‘During the last visit of Sushma Swaraj a meeting and discussion took place between Sushma and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Now again Sushma Swaraj is coming to Dhaka just before the year of the upcoming national election. There is an allegation in Bangladesh that Sujatha Singh, former Foreign Secretary of Congress leaded government played a negative role to make that the national election of 2014 one-sided. Besides, around 6 lakh Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh because of the torture of Myanmar Army. In these geopolitical situations, Khaleda-Sushma meeting is a normal incident.’
Photo: Nuruddin Ahmed
