Border Killings Must End for Better Ties: Rizvi

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that repeated killings of Bangladeshis at the border will undermine efforts to build strong and friendly relations with India.

Speaking at the 45th National Council of the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday, Rizvi raised concern over a recent incident in which two people were shot dead in the border area of Brahmanbaria.

“Until when will this bloodshed continue?” he said. “Even people in India do not support such actions. We want friendly relations, but continued violence at the border makes that impossible. For a stable and positive relationship, this mindset must change.”

He stressed that while India’s internal political matters are its own concern, the repeated loss of Bangladeshi lives along the border remains unacceptable.

Turning to domestic issues, Rizvi said the current government is working to implement its election commitments. He praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s work ethic, saying he remains actively engaged from early morning until late at night in public service.

“If the prime minister can inspire people through dedication, others can follow,” he said. “The people wanted this kind of leadership.”

Rizvi added that earlier development foundations laid during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman continue to influence national progress, and expressed confidence that Tarique Rahman would carry that legacy forward.

He also said the government is focused on realistic goals instead of making unrealistic promises, citing examples such as pledges of rice at very low prices or guaranteed jobs for every household.

Referring to development potential, he said Bangladesh could achieve food self-sufficiency through proper reforms and collective effort, comparing it with the rapid progress of countries like Singapore.

Addressing diploma engineers, Rizvi praised their contribution to national infrastructure and assured that their professional value would be recognized. He urged them to work with dedication in the country’s development process.

The event was chaired by Engineer Kabir Hossain and moderated by Engineer Kazi Sakhawat Hossain.