Teesta Pact

Muhammad Yunus calls for resolving issues over Teesta treaty with India

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said the interim government would pursue with India ways to resolve the differences over the long-pending Teesta water sharing treaty, as delaying it for years serves no purpose for either nation. In an interview with PTI at his official residence in Dhaka, Yunus stated that the water-sharing issue between the two countries must be resolved according to international norms, emphasising that lower riparian countries like Bangladesh have specific rights that they seek to uphold. By sitting over this issue (water sharing), it is not serving any purpose. If I know how much water I will get, even if I am not happy and sign it, it would be better. This issue has to be resolved, he said. Replying to a query on whether the interim government would push for resolving the issues over the Teesta water-sharing treaty at the earliest, he said the new regime will pursue it. Push is a big word; I am not saying it. We will pursue it. But we have to sit

B'desh to push for resuming talks with India on Teesta water sharing treaty

Bangladesh's interim government wants to restart with India the dialogue on the Teesta water sharing treaty, adviser on water resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said, asserting that upper-riparian and lower-riparian countries should adhere to international principles on the distribution of water. Speaking to PTI in Dhaka, Hasan expressed confidence that the Teesta treaty and other water-sharing agreements with India would be resolved amicably through dialogue but suggested that Bangladesh might consider international legal documents and principles if an agreement cannot be reached. I have discussed the issue of Teesta water sharing with all relevant stakeholders (in Bangladesh). We have discussed that we need to restart the process and dialogue regarding the Teesta treaty. We also have to work on the Ganges treaty, which is coming to an end in two years, she told PTI in an interview on Sunday. Both sides agreed, and a draft of the Teesta water-sharing agreement was prepared, but the

B'desh to gauge both Indian, Chinese proposals on Teesta project: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Tuesday that Bangladesh would gauge proposals from both India and China to build a mega project on the cross-border Teesta River involving a reservoir and accept the better one for her country. Hasina, who visited India last week at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described her trip as "very fruitful" and said the outcome of her talks with India's top leadership will play a "pivotal role" in strengthening the existing bilateral relations and opening new avenues of cooperation. "We undertook the Teesta projects. China has proposed, and so has India. We will evaluate both proposals and accept the one that is most beneficial and acceptable in terms of the interests of our people," the 76-year-old leader said while addressing a press conference here. Asked which side she favoured more as far as India and China were concerned regarding the Teesta Project, Hasina said, "We maintain our friendships based on the developmental needs of our

Borderline issues

Indo-Bangla bonhomie masks critical gaps

Dhaka's Chinese Chequers on Teesta put Delhi on back foot

India may not be in a position to offer a loan as attractive as China's. But it can give Dhaka something Beijing cannot - extra water in the lean season

Teesta pact unlikely to be inked during Sheikh Hasina's visit

It will see signing of at least 25 agreements including in key areas of civil nuclear cooperation