Teesta Water Sharing Issue: Dhaka is now hopeful

Dhaka sees a ray of hope for resolving the long-standing Teesta water-sharing issue with Delhi as an Indian parliamentary committee has recommended the government address the matter.

"This recommendation has generated hope. This is a significant development as MPs from all parties, including BJP, Congress and Trinamool Congress, are there in the committee," Bangladesh foreign ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters at the weekly media briefing yesterday.

Dhaka is hoping to step up diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, she said.

The Indian parliamentary watchdog recommended the country address the Teesta water-sharing issue "at the earliest" for improved bilateral ties with Bangladesh.

The committee, in its 22nd report submitted to parliament on July 25, asked the external affairs ministry "to initiate meaningful dialogue with Bangladesh on a regular basis to arrive at a consensus in the Teesta matter, and the progress/outcome may be informed to the committee".

In 2011, Bangladesh and India failed to sign the Teesta water-sharing agreement due to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's last-minute opposition during the then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka.

The issue remains unresolved, leaving farmers in Bangladesh's northern region in trouble as irrigation has become difficult for them.

Bangladesh and India have 54 rivers in common and a treaty on sharing water of the Ganges was signed in 1996. The two countries are now working on sharing water of six other small rivers.

Earlier this year, Dhaka had sent a note verbale to Delhi seeking to know details about the West Bengal government's decision, as reported by media, to set up three hydropower plants in Darjeeling, and two of them are likely to reduce the volume of water in the Teesta.

Indian newspaper The Telegraph had reported that the West Bengal government acquired 1,000 acres to dig two canals and divert more water from the river to irrigate farms in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts.

Asked if Dhaka received any response from Delhi on the matter, Seheli Sabrin yesterday said India was working on the issue and Bangladesh was expecting a response soon.