Opposing India a habit of some people in Bangladesh: Hasina

Amid stepped-up criticism from the main opposition BNP, prime minister Sheikh Hasina today defended key pacts inked with India during her landmark visit to New Delhi, saying anti-India campaign in Bangladesh has become "a habit of some people".

Hasina today criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chief Khaleda Zia for alleging that the Awami League leader had "compromised the national interest" during her maiden visit after taking office, following the landmark December 2008 parliamentary elections.

In an apparent reference to her arch rival, Hasina said, "Opposing India is nothing new in Bangladesh."

"We are familiar with the anti-India campaign since 1954 elections... it became a habit of some people, and we have nothing to do about it," she told a press conference here.

The prime minister said, "I have succeeded in my mission as Bangladesh’s interests have been protected cent percent."

During Hasina's visit to New Delhi, Bangladesh promised not to allow its territory to be used for terror against India, as they signed three agreements to jointly combat the menace, while India announced a one-billion dollar line of credit to that country.

The significant Line of Credit offered by Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh during talks with his Bangladesh counterpart marked the highest one-time grant by India to any country.

BNP plans to build an alliance of "like-minded" parties to begin an anti-government campaign to protest the deals inked during Hasina's India tour.