UNB, Dhaka :
A unity among the affected people from both Bangladesh and India needs to be forged for putting international pressure on India to realise an equitable share of water of trans-boundary rivers, suggests Dr Akbra Ali Khan.
“We need to proceed through a bilateral process. At the same time, we need to forge a unity among the affected people of both Bangladesh and India apart from creating a pressure through the international community,” he told UNB at his Gulshan residence.
Akbar Ali, also a former caretaker government adviser, said there are many projects where the people of both countries are affected. “So, this (unity among affected people) could be an alternative.”
Asked whether Bangladesh should go to the international forum (UN arbitration), he said Bangladesh can go but it is not sure that positive results will come from such an initiative.
“Even if you go to the international forum, Indian government may take it adversely,” he said adding that it is a political process and all steps should be taken in line with that.
Earlier, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said the government would place the regional water issue at the international forum if it fails to realise an equitable share of water of trans-boundary rivers through negotiations with India.
“We want to resolve the water problems through negotiations with India. Definitely, we’ll go to the international forum, if we fail to realise the equitable share of water of the common rivers,” Anisul Islam told reporters on May 8.
Responding to a question over the incoming new government in the neighbouring country, Akbar Ali Khan said there is no guarantee that water-sharing issue with India would be resolved with the formation of a new government there.
There has been a growing demand in the country for taking concrete steps in ensuring Bangladesh’s fair share of water of 54 rivers, including the Teesta River, through negotiations with India.
On Thursday, Business Standard reported that Prime minister-elect Narendra Modi’s first official visit as head of government will likely be to Dhaka, where he is expected to sign the much-awaited Teesta water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina.
A unity among the affected people from both Bangladesh and India needs to be forged for putting international pressure on India to realise an equitable share of water of trans-boundary rivers, suggests Dr Akbra Ali Khan.
“We need to proceed through a bilateral process. At the same time, we need to forge a unity among the affected people of both Bangladesh and India apart from creating a pressure through the international community,” he told UNB at his Gulshan residence.
Akbar Ali, also a former caretaker government adviser, said there are many projects where the people of both countries are affected. “So, this (unity among affected people) could be an alternative.”
Asked whether Bangladesh should go to the international forum (UN arbitration), he said Bangladesh can go but it is not sure that positive results will come from such an initiative.
“Even if you go to the international forum, Indian government may take it adversely,” he said adding that it is a political process and all steps should be taken in line with that.
Earlier, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said the government would place the regional water issue at the international forum if it fails to realise an equitable share of water of trans-boundary rivers through negotiations with India.
“We want to resolve the water problems through negotiations with India. Definitely, we’ll go to the international forum, if we fail to realise the equitable share of water of the common rivers,” Anisul Islam told reporters on May 8.
Responding to a question over the incoming new government in the neighbouring country, Akbar Ali Khan said there is no guarantee that water-sharing issue with India would be resolved with the formation of a new government there.
There has been a growing demand in the country for taking concrete steps in ensuring Bangladesh’s fair share of water of 54 rivers, including the Teesta River, through negotiations with India.
On Thursday, Business Standard reported that Prime minister-elect Narendra Modi’s first official visit as head of government will likely be to Dhaka, where he is expected to sign the much-awaited Teesta water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina.
