The River of Friendship

Our Honorable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, recently wrote a piece for the Indian publication The Hindu titled, “Friendship is a Flowing River”. Here are 7 key points which she mentions in her article:

1. Cooperation is the Key – For the sake of our people, it is imperative that we build a mutually beneficial and healthy relationship with our neighbor. She thanked our neighboring countries, especially India, for their support and cooperation which has helped us gain our independence and grow over the years.
2. Working for the People – She outlines the need to eradicate poverty and create a society where everyone’s basic needs are met. She credits Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, for instilling this ideologies in her.
3. Remember our History – In the article, the Prime Minister reminds us of how we overcame the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military junta at the behest of the Father of the Nation who directed the people of Bangladesh towards independence. She thanked India once again for their contribution during these testing times.

   

4. In the Bangabandu’s footsteps – She reiterated how she has devoted herself to the task of enhancing the welfare of her countrymen. During her tenure, the government has signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty ending a two-decade-long conflict and brought back 62,000 refugees from India and rehabilitated them in the country. Under her leadership, the country also signed the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India.
5. Regaining the Momentum – Despite the setback of losing the elections in 2001, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regained power after the 2008 elections and initiated a Five Year Plan and 10-year-long Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan. Since then, the government has been working to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041. Thanks to the efforts of the people and her government, Bangladesh currently has a 7.1% GDP growth rate with inflation contained within 5.28% and the poverty rate reduced to 22%.

   

6. Resolving Recent Issues – The Honorable Prime Minister, in the last segment of her article, spoke of the need to resolve issues surrounding the Teesta River. Both countries share the same culture and heritage. They share Lalon, Rabindranath, Kazi Nazrul, Jibanananda; and both countries rely on nourishment from the waters of the Padma, Brahmaputra and so on. She mentions that both India and Bangladesh have so much in common that contention over the waters of a common river seems foolish.
7. The River of Friendship Must Flow – She ends the article on a positive note, mentioning that ‘Friendship is a river’ and that the friendship between Bangladesh and India is like a flowing river. She hopes that the cooperative relations between Bangladesh and India will reach new heights through their continued alliance and cooperation.