Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday told Parliament that his recent visits to Malaysia and China were guided solely by the interests of Bangladesh and its people, saying any achievements from the tours belong to the nation rather than to any individual.
"What I have tried to do, Honorable Speaker, from my position is to speak for the interests of my country and the people of my country and to protect those interests," he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while thanking all members of Parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition, for unanimously adopting a thanksgiving motion in the House on his recent six-day visit to Malaysia and China.
He said the people of Bangladesh had entrusted his government with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests.
"The core issue here is that the people of Bangladesh have given us the responsibility to look after their interests," Tarique Rahman said.
Referring to his party's "Bangladesh First" slogan, he said they had sought to uphold and protect the interests of Bangladesh and its people during the visits.
"None of us has any personal issue here. If any positive thing has been achieved, it is an achievement for Bangladesh. If the people of the country have gained any achievement through these visits, that achievement belongs to them," he said.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home from Beijing on Friday, wrapping up his maiden six-day official visits to China and Malaysia.