Bangladesh-India Bangladesh seeks early agreement with India on Teesta water-sharing
Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought the implementation Teesta water-sharing agreement and steps to bring down the "border incidents" to zero as she held extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's two-day visit to the country with which his government is seeking to intensify ties and forger a closer multi-dimensional partnership.
Modi, who was the guest of honor for the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh’s independence, said the next 25 years are crucial for both countries.
In 2011, both countries had agreed on a draft proposal on Teesta water sharing but the agreement could not be signed because of opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who said the agreement will hurt her state's water interests. The Teesta flows from Sikkim through West Bengal into Bangladesh. On Saturday, Modi assured that India was committed to signing the agreement and will continue consultations with various "stakeholders".
“The implementation of the proposed treaty appeared crucial as the people living along the Teesta riverbank were suffering because of water shortage,” Hasina said in the meeting.
The issue of border killings by India's Border Security Force was also raised by Bangladesh during the discussion. India insisted on increased cooperation at the local level between the two countries to reduce such killings.
Bangladesh also sought India’s active participation for international help for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, to which India said it would like to see the return of the refugees in “a sustainable manner”.
Lauding India’s Neighborhood First policy, Hasina thanked India for the early delivery of Covid-19 vaccines.
Trade-related issues like non-tariff barriers were also discussed, and both countries pledged to work towards making trade policied in a predictable, transparent manner. To further expand the economic and trade partnership, the two also discussed the prospect of signing a comprehensive economic partnership.
Bangladesh also asked for “meaningful cooperation” in withdrawing the duties on Jute. The country also sought Indian investment in Bangladesh jute mills on a public-private partnership basis. The sector plays a crucial role in the economy of India’s eastern neighbors.
Discussions also took place to increase regional cooperation in power and connectivity projects where India could help Bangladesh boost its trade with Bhutan and Nepal.
Hasina thanked Modi for accepting positively the proposal of Bangladesh for naming “Mujibnagar-Nadia Road” as Shadhinata Sharok.
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