sheikh hasina
– Photo: ANI (File)
Expansion
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Tuesday that her country will consider proposals from India and China for a major reservoir project on the trans-border Teesta river and will accept the best offer. Hasina, who visited India last week at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described her visit as very useful. She said the outcome of her talks with India’s top leadership will play an important role in strengthening existing bilateral relations and opening new avenues of cooperation.
Addressing a press conference here, Hasina said, “We have initiated the Teesta projects. China has made a proposal and so has India. We will evaluate both the proposals and accept the one that is most beneficial and acceptable in terms of the interests of our people.” When asked which side she supports more between India and China regarding the Teesta project, Hasina said, “We maintain our friendship based on the developmental needs of our country.”
China has completed the physical survey on the project, while India has expressed its willingness to conduct another study regarding the implementation of the Teesta project. India is believed to have reservations over China’s involvement in a major project near its strategic Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken Neck’, while Bangladesh’s foreign ministry had earlier said Dhaka would “take into account geopolitical issues” in moving forward on the proposal.
According to Bangladesh officials, China proposed a major dredging exercise on the Teesta river in 2020 and the construction of reservoirs and embankments without any role from India, but Bangladesh has not moved forward on the project. Several analysts said China’s involvement in the project could complicate the India-Bangladesh dispute over the key shared river.
While the Teesta water sharing agreement has been under negotiation since the Awami League government returned to power in 2009, Hasina said today that “Bangladesh has a long-standing issue with India on Teesta river water sharing”. “So, if India does the Teesta project, it will be easier for Bangladesh. In that case, we will not always need to talk about Teesta water sharing,” she said.
Hasina also said Bangladesh has a long-standing issue with India over water sharing of 54 shared rivers, but added that if there are problems, there are solutions too. “India has agreed to cooperate with us on the Teesta project. A joint committee will be formed that will not only decide how the water will be shared but also how to revive the river, use it for agriculture in the northern region and increase its navigation,” she said.
He said discussions on water sharing also include measures such as dredging of silt from the river, construction of embankments and water conservation. “India will send a technical team after the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty expires in 2026. The team (along with its Bangladeshi counterparts) will explore options and negotiate terms,” he said.