The party claimed it was not anti-India.
Its spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon said at a press conference on Wednesday: “The BNP never pursued anti-Indian politics in the past, is not doing so now, and won’t do in future.”
Media both at home and in India portray the BNP as an anti-India political party.
BNP leaders had said before several national elections that Bangladesh would be sold out to India if the party was not voted to power.
The party leaders said before the last parliamentary polls, which they boycotted, that the Awami League government was holding the elections with India's support.
BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said in 2013 that the Awami League government was conspiring to stage the polls under an ‘international master plan’.
Pointing a finger at India, party Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas had said at the time: “The Sindabad horse of India is riding this government.”
He had also claimed that the police firing on agitating BNP leaders and activists had been done at India's instigation.
File Photo
“Speaking on these issues doesn’t mean we have been anti-India.
“Our party’s foreign policy is - friendship with all, malice towards none. The BNP wants to forge an effective friendship with India based on this policy,” he added.
Ripon claimed the Awami League tried to create confusion by portraying the BNP an anti-India party.
BNP chief Khaleda Zia had drawn the neighbour's flak by cancelling her scheduled meeting with visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in Dhaka in May 2013.
However, the party has welcomed Modi's visit.Ripon said: “We’re welcoming this visit as the largest political party of Bangladesh on behalf of our party Chairman Khaleda Zia, who was elected prime minister for three terms.
“The people of Bangladesh are ready to give the Indian prime minister a warm reception with love.”
Modi had expressed his eagerness several times to visit Bangladesh but could not do so, apparently because of the unresolved Teesta water-sharing and the ratification of Land Boundary Agreement.
His visit has been announced days after Indian Parliament cleared the way for implementing the LBA to swap adversely held enclaves.
Ripon said: “We’re waiting for Modi’s visit to Dhaka. It will be successful.
“We hope all unresolved issues including Teesta water-sharing and problems over waters of different rivers will be solved through this visit.
“We expect the issue of border killing issue to be resolved, too. The areas of cooperation of the two countries will be expanded and friendly relations consolidated.”
Praising Bharatiya Janata Party leader Modi, he said: “He is a farsighted leader. He has won the hearts of people wherever he has gone. The people of Bangladesh are also waiting for his visit.”
“The present government of India is saying they are giving importance to country-to-country relations, not relations with any particular political party of the neighbouring country.
“We also believe in this policy. We’ve seen reflection of their statement,” he added.
The BNP, which claims there is no democracy in Bangladesh at present, hailed Modi’s wish to see a strong democratic system in South Asian countries.
Asked if Khaleda had any scheduled programme with Modi during the visit, the BNP leader said: “It’s a very sensitive issue.
“Programme details of visits of heads of government of countries like the USA, India and China are not disclosed before the visit for security reasons. They are kept secret.”
Ripon ducked a question if Khaleda would raise the issue of ‘lack of democracy’ in Bangladesh if she met Modi.
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