India is a political friend while China is a development friend, says Bangladeshi minister

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told The Daily Star: "China has contributed significantly to the development of many sectors in our country. Why will we not accept support from China for the sake of the country's overall progress?"

"Our foreign policy is friendship with everyone, malice to none. India has been our faithful friend since 1971. We cannot forget our friends in times of trouble," Obaidul Quader said, asking "what did the post-75 governments achieve by having hostile relations with India for 21 years?"

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently visited India on a State Visit the invitation of Narendra Modi.

Following her visit,Hasina said her visit to India was short but fruitful.

“The visit was short but very fruitful. I think this visit will play a very pivotal role in strengthening the existing excellent relations between India and Bangladesh,” she was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune while she was addressing a press conference.

Speaking on the visit, she further said: "During the visit, the main topic of discussion with the Indian leadership was to formulate a vision on how the two newly-elected governments can take the cooperative relationship further."

“We discussed ways and means of mutual cooperation and engagement between the two countries. We have agreed to cooperate wholeheartedly for the welfare of our two countries and people," she said.

She visited New Delhi earlier in June to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Modi who returned to power in the world's largest democracy for third straight term.

This was the first bilateral visit of any head of the government to India since Modi-government returned to power after winning the general polls which were held this year in robust seven phases.

Hasina said she invited Modi to visit Bangladesh.