Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday stressed the need for an early resolution on sharing of Teesta waters — pending since 2011 because of opposition from Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee — during her virtual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The fact that Hasina broached the issue during the dialogue, a Bangladeshi source said, indicated Dhaka’s growing restlessness with the delay in sealing the deal on water sharing, an emotive subject in the neighbouring country.
The source added that the joint statement after the summit dialogue bore hints that the wait would be over soon.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the need for early signing of an interim agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts of the Government of India in that regard,” said the joint statement.
It added that the two leaders also underscored the need for an early conclusion of the framework of an interim agreement on sharing waters of six rivers that flow through both countries — the Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and the Dudhkumar.
Hasina during the India-Bangladesh virtual bilateral summit on Thursday. PTI
Modi’s commitment about sharing of Teesta waters — and that of the other rivers — assumes significance as Mamata had been resisting the agreement citing the problem of water shortage in parts of north Bengal. The Bengal chief minister had often argued that she was opposed to water sharing to protect the farmers of north Bengal.
“Bengal is heading for polls in six months and north Bengal is the key focus of the BJP…. The fact that the Prime Minister still reiterated his commitment makes it clear that Delhi is determined to seal the deal without bothering much about how Mamata reacts to it,” said an observer.
While domestic politics is important for the BJP, which has trained its eyes on Bengal, there is little doubt that Delhi is also keen on keeping Dhaka in good humour as Hasina has been one of the trusted friends of India in the sub-continent.
Not just did Modi make the right noises about the Teesta, he also tried to win the hearts of Bangladeshis with his comments on another issue on which Dhaka has repeatedly sought greater cooperation from India.
During the virtual summit, Hasina said her country expected to see India, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, assist in the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The Hasina government is taking care of over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees for over three years, but it is keen on repatriating them to neighbouring Myanmar from where they were forced to flee due to religious persecution.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Both Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of their safe, speedy and sustainable return,” said the joint statement issued by the Indian external affairs ministry after the summit.
Modi’s comments on the two issues, sources in Delhi and Dhaka said, would further boost the India-Bangladesh relations.
Modi greeted Hasina in Bengali on the occasion of Bijoy Dibos or Victory Day before going on to describe Bangladesh as an important pillar of India’s “neighbourhood first” policy.
Modi also accepted Hasina’s invitation to visit Dhaka in March 2021 to take part in centenary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“Next year, India and Bangladesh will jointly commemorate Mujib Borsho and 50 years of establishment of our diplomatic ties. I look forward to visiting Dhaka for paying my homage to the life and ideals of Bangabandhu,” Modi tweeted after the meeting.
During the virtual summit, Modi expressed satisfaction at bilateral cooperation amid the Covid-19 pandemic and assured Hasina that vaccines would be made available to Bangladesh besides offering a partnership in vaccine production.
The two countries signed seven agreements on Thursday for cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector, agriculture and textiles, high impact community development projects to be carried out by India, trans-border elephant conservation, supply of equipment for improving garbage disposal in Barishal, and creation of a forum of CEOs.
In a major boost to connectivity between the two counties, Modi and Hasina relaunched a trans-border rail route between Chilahati and Bengal’s Haldibari, which has been inoperative for almost 55 years.
