Jamaat welcomes Modi’s Dhaka visit

In a surprising development, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which is well-known for its anti-Indian political stand, today welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming Dhaka visit.

In a statement this evening, Jamaat’s acting ameer Moqbul Ahmad said: “I welcome the visit wholeheartedly…Bangladesh has a friendly relation with India.”

“I, on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of Bangladesh, expect that the Indian premier’s visit will solve the existing disputes -- such as border demarcation and enclave exchange -- between the two countries,” Moqbul added.

He also expressed hope: “The bilateral friendly relation between the two countries will be strengthened further.”

The acting ameer also said the Bangladeshi people hope that they will get their due share of the Teesta River water. The Indian government will take steps to stop the construction of Tipaimukh dam and to end the killing of Bangladeshis along the border by BSF.

“The visit will be able to fulfill the aspirations of the people of two countries, and the two neighbouring independent and sovereign countries will move forward to development keeping intact their own interest,” Moqbul observed.