Sweet water, sweet ties

The sharing of Teesta river water between India and Bangladesh remains a sore point despite the show of bonhomie by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, Uma Bharati, minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, carried through the show of cordiality when asked about the way ahead for the prickly issue. She said river water is sweet unlike sea water, which is salty and difficult to consume. Given that, she believes that the relationship among neighbours — India, Nepal and Bangladesh — which share their rivers would remain sweet and cordial.