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The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday said that the party wanted India’s newly-elected government to prioritise the Bangladeshi people’s quest for democracy as a cornerstone for fostering bilateral relations.

‘The people of this country fought the War of Independence in 1971 to achieve the same standards seen in India, where citizens can elect their representatives, and where the Election Commission and judiciary operate independently,’ BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while speaking at a discussion organised by the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, marking the 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Fakhrul said that their party had been at work to attain this goal and establish democracy in the same manner.

‘What we expect from the new Indian government is that it will respect the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and thus foster mutual relations,’ he said.

The BNP leader also said that India is undoubtedly the most influential neighbouring country of Bangladesh.

Narendra Modi was sworn in as India’s prime minister for the third term running on Sunday as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won the general election with 293 seats.

‘We have only one thing to say about the new government of India. It is our neighbouring country—undoubtedly most influential among our neighbouring countries. We would expect only one thing from the new government of India. The people of their country can elect their representatives. Their Election Commission can function independently, their judiciary can function independently—things for which we fought in 1971,’ Fakhrul said.

‘We want to establish democracy in our country that way. We hope that the new government of India will respect the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and that way they will build relations with Bangladesh,’ he said.

Criticising the government, Fakhrul also said, ‘The right to vote has been taken away. No one can speak freely. Fascism has been established in the country. Our only aim now is, at any rate, to defeat this monster of a government through movement and establish a people’s government.’

He further said that the country was facing great challenges, political and economic on the one hand and geographical on the other.