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Bangladesh today warned it would be forced to approach international forums on the issue of sharing water of Teesta river if bilateral talks with the new government in India failed to yield results.
"We are now waiting as Indian election is underway...We will hold talks over fair share of Teesta water with the new Indian government," Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told reporters.
"I do believe we can sign a treaty over the Teesta water sharing through bilateral talks...If it fails to ensure our due share, we will bring the issue to the international forums, we will go wherever we need to go to achieve our rights in line with the international laws," he said on the sidelines of an international seminar on water.
Mahmud, a leader of the ruling Awami League's crucial ally Jatiya Party, also feared the adverse impact of low flow, drying up the Teesta in Bangladesh part, would affect the neighbouring regions across the border too.
His comments came two weeks after the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by ex-premier Khaleda Zia, staged a long march towards northwestern frontiers with India demanding fair share of Teesta waters.
Bangladesh and India were set to ink a deal on the issue during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit in September, 2011, but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly raised objection over the proposed quantum of waters saying it would harm her state.
She also scrapped her tour to Dhaka accompanying Prime Minister Singh.
The Teesta water is crucial for Bangladesh, especially in the leanest period from December to March when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1,000 cusecs from 5,000 cusecs every year.
