Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Bangladesh in June, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted the Teesta water sharing accord with the neighbouring country would be finalised soon.
Singh asserted getting support of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had blocked the water sharing deal between India and Bangladesh four years ago.
"The Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh has already been decided and the Teesta deal will also be finalised soon. We are confident of getting full cooperation from Mamata Banerjee government," said Singh.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, during her visit to Bangladesh in February had assured Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of a breakthrough on the issue.
The Teesta water sharing pact had been put on hold after Banerjee's strong opposition over fears that the treaty could spell disaster for the northern part of West Bengal.
In September 2011, Banerjee had embarrassed then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh by pulling out of his delegation to Bangladesh over the water sharing agreement, forcing India to drop it from the agenda.
Banerjee had stoutly opposed both -- Teesta deal and the LBA -- since 2011 arguing that they went against the interests of West Bengal. However, with changing political realities in India, her stance on both these issues has changed considerably.
Under the LBA, India will cede 111 enclaves totally measuring 17,160 acres to Bangladesh and receive 51 enclaves covering 7,110 acres. More than 51,000 people reside in these enclaves.
Singh also said the bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka will commence soon. "The trial run of the bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka is already complete. The service will soon be started," he said.
