Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday alleged that India is plotting to make Bangladesh defence system its extended version by signing a defence deal with the country to sell its military hardware.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's central office in Dhaka's Nayapaltan, its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also warned that if the defence deal is signed during the Prime Minister's upcoming India tour, the country's people will resist it even by sacrificing their blood.

"Signing any defence deal or memorandum of understanding with India will be a dangerous venture for Bangladesh. India wants to sell its military hardware and arms to us through signing a defence agreement for 25 years. We think Bangladesh's defence system will turn into India's extended one if Bangladesh procures military hardware from that country," Rizvi said.

As per the proposed deal, he said, India will provide Bangladesh with $50 crore under the line of credit with a condition of procuring arms from it with the money. "That means India will entertain its own desire with Bangladesh's money in the name of loan."

Coming down hard on Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his remark that no covert and anti-state deal will be signed with India, Rizvi said though the Prime Minister signed around 50 deals with India in the past, none of those was made public. "The country's people are still in the dark about the deals."

He alleged that the ruling party is trying to give India the responsibility of protecting Bangladesh's security and independence only to cling to power. "The government is resorting to conspiracy instead of depending on public support to stay in power."

The BNP leader said the country's people have got aggrieved over the news that the government is going to sign a defence deal with India. "People are worried whether the country's independence is putting at stake and they won't allow anyone to hand over the country's independence to Delhi."