BNP Standing Committee member and the prime minister’s political adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Bangladesh seeks friendly relations with every country on the basis of equality. He made the remarks on Wednesday after paying tribute at the graves of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, marking the Volunteers’ Party anniversary.

Rizvi said friendship cannot be conditional and that relations must rest on respect for each country’s independence and sovereignty. He said the prime minister would maintain ties with all countries based on equality, mutual respect and respect for sovereignty, while Bangladesh would also invite others.

Referring to India, Rizvi said the government would welcome a friendly invitation if it came without interests attached. He said Bangladesh would not proceed if interests were involved and that relations with India must be based on equal dignity. Rizvi also expressed hope that the Volunteers’ Party would remain active in presenting the government’s welfare-oriented work to the public as part of implementing the BNP election manifesto.