Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has asked the government to immediately cancel US$1.0 billion loan agreement with India, cautioning that Bangladesh's public money can not be spent on serving the interest of another country.
She termed the loan agreement with Indian Exim Bank as another 'slavery agreement' after the post-independence Awami League government's '25-year slavery' treaty with India.
Khaleda made the remarks in her speech at a pre-mass procession rally at the historic Paltan Maidan in the capital Dhaka Monday afternoon.
The opposition leader said Bangladesh will have to pay tough compensation to the loan agreement, observing that this would not bring any welfare for Bangladesh.
On Saturday, the Bangladesh government signed the $1.0 billion credit deal with India at 1.75 percent interest rate annually to finance several development and infrastructure projects.
BBN/SSR/SI/AD-10Aug10-11:46 am (BST)
