Indian envoy: Delhi committed to interim Teesta water sharing arrangement

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s commitment and continued effort to complete the interim water sharing arrangement for the Teesta River.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami made the remark following the Bangladesh-India Virtual Summit on Thursday afternoon at the Indian High Commission of Dhaka. 

The Indian high commissioner said: “The two leaders underscored the need for early conclusion of Frameworks for Interim Agreement on sharing the waters of six other joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. The two leaders agreed to schedule the Joint River Commission meetings at the earliest,”

While responding to a question, Vikram said: “I am very hopeful that, in the next few months some progress on water sharing will come.”   

“Reflecting on the special nature of the partnership, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited PM Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh next year. PM Modi accepted the invitation with pleasure,” he said. 

“To honour the memory of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who is also a hero to the Indian people, the Indian side released a Commemorative Stamp on Bangabandhu in the Mujib Year,” Vikram added.

“In a unique tribute to the Fathers of the two Nations, Bangladesh and India are jointly commissioning a Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition which chronicles the lives, struggle and their vision in leading their country’s quest for justice and independence. This will be a travelling exhibition, to be jointly showcased in India, Bangladesh, and in various other countries, as well as the United Nations,” he mentioned.

Both countries will also coordinate to organize commemorative activities to celebrate fifty years of liberation and bilateral relations next year, separately and in partnership, informed the Indian envoy to Bangladesh.

Regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, the Indian high commissioner said: “In keeping with India’s ‘Neighbour First’ policy, PM Modi assured PM Sheikh Hasina that India would support effective and timely delivery of Covid-19 vaccines produced and developed in India, for Bangladesh,” 

“Both leaders continue to prioritize connectivity to ease the lives of people on both sides, and to promote travel, tourism and business partnerships. The two leaders jointly inaugurated the restored Chilahati–Haldibari rail route re-linking Bangladesh with North Bengal in India,” Vikram added. 

He said: “Increasing connectivity by rail, roads, air and waterways between Bangladesh and India will promote the development of Chilahati, Sirajganj, Ashuganj, Darshana, Ramgarh, and Comilla as new trade hubs, especially for Bangladesh’s trade with Nepal and Bhutan.” 

“PM Sheikh Hasina expressed her interest in India's invitation to join the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank),” added the Indian high commissioner.  

Regarding the Rohingya issue, Vikram said: “PM Modi reiterated the need for safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation of displaced persons to their homes in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.” 

“India is also undertaking socio-economic development measures in Rakhine region under its Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP), to support an enabling environment to start repatriation,” he added.

On border killing, he said: “Border management is a shared responsibility, both Leaders emphasized the need for coordinated and joint patrols to create a crime-free border,”

“India’s BSF will continue to exercise maximum restraint and follow a strict protocol of escalation of actions, with the commitment that the use of lethal force would only be the last resort, in self-defence,” he said, 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held their Virtual Summit on Thursday to discuss several bilateral issues.