Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina firmly stated that she would never "sell out" Bangladesh, emphasizing the country's hard-won independence. Her remarks came during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Ganabhaban, following her recent visit to India. 

Addressing a question regarding the provision of rail transit to India through Bangladesh, which has sparked criticism from some quarters on social media, Prime Minister Hasina said, “Sheikh Hasina never sold out this country. We achieved independence through our Liberation War, and that should always be remembered.”

She added, “Providing transit to another country does no harm. Bangladesh is a sovereign nation. We fought for our independence. Those who are criticizing should remember that we had one ally who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our freedom fighters. In global conflicts, allies usually remain stationed, like American soldiers in Japan or Russian soldiers in Germany.”

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Prime Minister Hasina highlighted India's unique stance, “As an ally, they fought alongside us in the war. But when the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, asked for the Indian soldiers to return home, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi agreed without hesitation and they were withdrawn.”

Responding to claims that granting transit to India amounts to “selling out” the country, she questioned, “Those who are accusing us of selling out are the ones who have kowtowed to India. During the regimes of military dictators Zia and Ershad, and later Khaleda Zia, they spoke against India publicly but privately sought India's favor. I have witnessed and known this firsthand.”

“What is the harm in allowing transit through our country? We are gradually reopening the railway links that were closed with India. This significantly contributes to our economy. Should we isolate ourselves? Look at Europe, there are no borders, yet no country is selling out another,” she added.

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The PM asserted, “We are an independent, sovereign nation. Opening up all modes of communication benefits the common people. It boosts trade and commerce.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited New Delhi recently at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.