UNB, Dhaka :
The long-pending Teesta water sharing deal with India has again come in the limelight with the much-talked-about possible defence cooperation deal as the date of the New Delhi visit is getting closer.
A number of ministers from Bangladesh talked about Teesta water sharing deal over the last few days without giving any concrete information on whether the deal will be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s April 7-10 visit. On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came up with a specific date saying she had come across reports that the Teesta water sharing treaty would be signed on May 25.
“I’ve no knowledge on Teesta discussion. The Centre has not discussed anything with me. I haven’t received any invitation. I’ve heard that the Teesta treaty will be signed on May 25. I’ve no knowledge. I share good relation with Bangladesh, but I can’t sacrifice the interests of my state,” Banerjee was quoted as saying in an interview with a Bengali TV news channel.
She also said she will not say anything regarding Teesta. “I’ll do whatever I’ve to after considering the interests of my state.” Banerjee’s comments widely discussed both inside India and Bangladesh on Thursday and Friday.
Even Indian journalists raised the issue during the weekly briefing at the Ministry of External Affairs, India on Friday. MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay, in reply said, “So the (India) government’s approach will obviously be to consult and take on board everyone concerned and all the stakeholders.” He also said, “I’m sure that nearer to the visit we’ll be in a position to share more details with you on that.” Gopal Baglay, however, said he does not want to comment on the Chief Minister’s remarks in an interview. “On the larger issue about the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the issues to be taken up at that time, obviously it is going to be a very important visit for both countries,” he said. The MEA spokesperson said they certainly hope that it will consolidate further the constructive and very close friendship and mutually beneficial ties that India is developing with Bangladesh. Referring to his previous briefing, the spokesperson said they will do separate briefing for the visit nearer to the date of the visit. “So forgive me at this stage I can only address your question in a very general term, which is that you have seen that the approach of the government is quite federal. In fact the leadership of our government has put a lot of emphasis on cooperative federalism,” he added.
Gopal Baglay said the Land Border Agreement with Bangladesh has not only been entered into but the necessary bills have been passed in the Parliament and it has been implemented.
“And obviously it could not have been implemented without cooperation not only of the state governments but obviously from all the stakeholders. It has been smoothly implemented,” he said.
On March 22, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said he is optimistic about the signing of the long-pending Teesta water-sharing treaty with India, but it is quite impossible to say the exact date when the deal will be struck. “I’m hopeful of Teesta water-sharing deal…but it’s impossible to say about the exact date of signing,” he said.
The long-pending Teesta water sharing deal with India has again come in the limelight with the much-talked-about possible defence cooperation deal as the date of the New Delhi visit is getting closer.
A number of ministers from Bangladesh talked about Teesta water sharing deal over the last few days without giving any concrete information on whether the deal will be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s April 7-10 visit. On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came up with a specific date saying she had come across reports that the Teesta water sharing treaty would be signed on May 25.
“I’ve no knowledge on Teesta discussion. The Centre has not discussed anything with me. I haven’t received any invitation. I’ve heard that the Teesta treaty will be signed on May 25. I’ve no knowledge. I share good relation with Bangladesh, but I can’t sacrifice the interests of my state,” Banerjee was quoted as saying in an interview with a Bengali TV news channel.
She also said she will not say anything regarding Teesta. “I’ll do whatever I’ve to after considering the interests of my state.” Banerjee’s comments widely discussed both inside India and Bangladesh on Thursday and Friday.
Even Indian journalists raised the issue during the weekly briefing at the Ministry of External Affairs, India on Friday. MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay, in reply said, “So the (India) government’s approach will obviously be to consult and take on board everyone concerned and all the stakeholders.” He also said, “I’m sure that nearer to the visit we’ll be in a position to share more details with you on that.” Gopal Baglay, however, said he does not want to comment on the Chief Minister’s remarks in an interview. “On the larger issue about the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the issues to be taken up at that time, obviously it is going to be a very important visit for both countries,” he said. The MEA spokesperson said they certainly hope that it will consolidate further the constructive and very close friendship and mutually beneficial ties that India is developing with Bangladesh. Referring to his previous briefing, the spokesperson said they will do separate briefing for the visit nearer to the date of the visit. “So forgive me at this stage I can only address your question in a very general term, which is that you have seen that the approach of the government is quite federal. In fact the leadership of our government has put a lot of emphasis on cooperative federalism,” he added.
Gopal Baglay said the Land Border Agreement with Bangladesh has not only been entered into but the necessary bills have been passed in the Parliament and it has been implemented.
“And obviously it could not have been implemented without cooperation not only of the state governments but obviously from all the stakeholders. It has been smoothly implemented,” he said.
On March 22, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said he is optimistic about the signing of the long-pending Teesta water-sharing treaty with India, but it is quite impossible to say the exact date when the deal will be struck. “I’m hopeful of Teesta water-sharing deal…but it’s impossible to say about the exact date of signing,” he said.
