Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday strongly defended the decision to open up Mongla and Chittagong ports to India. Addressing a Press Conference at her office in Dhaka, she said her government is taking all-out initiatives to upgrade the service standard of Mongla Port to international status. She said that steps have been taken to develop the Chittagong and Mongla ports so that India, Nepal and Bhutan can start using the ports which will enable Bangladesh to earn revenue. Sheikh Hasina said the India Bangladesh Joint River Commission would meet very soon which will help in resolving issues related to the water sharing of trans-boundary rivers.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India has triggered of a political debate in the country. While the Ruling Awami League is celebrating the success of the visit, the opposition has been dubbing it as a failure. The Press Conference of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to highlight the achievements of her visit to India turned out to be show a of solidarity of the 14 party grand alliance.<br/><br/>Apart from the Ministers and Awami League leaders, alliance leaders including Former president and Jatiya Party chief, H M Ershad, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon and JSD president Hasnaul Haq Inu were present as Prime Minister Hasina outlined the agreements reached with India. She said the issues like water sharing of trans-boundary rivers and maritime boundaries will be taken up without delay. Rebutting the opposition’s criticism of the move to allow Chittagong and Mongla ports to be used by India, she said this will benefit Bangladesh as at present only 40 percent potential of these ports is being utilised. She also urged the opposition to participate in the parliament sessions instead of making comments on her India visit outside of the House. BNP Leader Khaleda Zia postponed her press conference to Sunday from Saturday in the light of the Prime Minister’s press conference during which she is likely to comment on Sheikh Hasina’s statements.