Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed a clear preference for India to complete the Teesta River basin development project due to existing water-sharing issues with India. Returning from an official visit to China, PM Hasina shared her views during a media interaction at her official residence on Sunday, stating, “They (India) will give us whatever we need after completion of the Teesta project.”
Both China and India have proposed to implement the Teesta Basin Development Project and will conduct separate feasibility studies. She stated, “We will go for the proposal which will be suitable for us after seeing their feasibility studies.” However, she emphasized Bangladesh’s preference for India, as India is central to resolving the water-sharing issues. “If they send a technical team and study the project, a final resolution of the Teesta River problem would be possible,” she added.
Is this a smart diplomatic move?
Yes. “Prime Minister Hasina acknowledged the concern of India as well as it’s a smart diplomatic move. Pending resolution of Teesta water sharing agreement, it’s better to develop Teesta River basin management inside the geographical border of Bangladesh could satisfy people of North Bengal,” says Gautam Lahiri, Bangladesh Commentator and Senior Journalist.
According to Lahiri, “India made it clear to Dhaka that they can’t accept the presence of China near the chicken neck. It’s also true that once the rejuvenation of Teesta project takes off India has to undertake similar initiatives on its side.”
What about the Chief Minister of West Bengal’s concerns?
“West Bengal Chief Minister has also made demands for dredging of river. Ultimately it can resolve the dispute in future,” he adds.
BIMSTEC & Bangladesh
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud recently visited New Delhi to attend a BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) foreign ministers’ retreat. During his visit, Mahmud met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss sending a technical team for the Teesta River Basin’s conservation and management. This decision stemmed from a summit meeting between Prime Minister Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amid criticism that Bangladesh gained nothing from her China visit, the Bangladesh leader detailed the outcomes, denying that her visit had been cut short. She attributed her early return to her daughter’s illness, stating, “All my official programs were over, so I came back a few hours before the scheduled time.”
Bangladesh & China
During her visit to Beijing, she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. On July 10, following delegation-level talks, Bangladesh and China signed and renewed 21 cooperation documents, mostly Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at enhancing development and economic cooperation. Additionally, Bangladesh and China announced seven outcome agreements.
In her bilateral meeting with President Xi, China agreed to provide assistance amounting to USD 2 billion to Bangladesh. China also committed to constructing the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.
She addressed her critics and political opponents, highlighting the substantial development projects undertaken by the Awami League government. She highlighted her government’s commitment to continuing these projects despite the criticism, underscoring their importance for Bangladesh’s development.
