Water to play key role to boost ties with Bangladesh: Indian minister

India’s Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti. Photo taken from the ministry's website

India's Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti today said that rivers and water will play an important role to strengthen the country's ties with neighbouring countries including Bangladesh.

Addressing a seminar organised by the Central Water Commission on the occasion of World Water Day in New Delhi, she said, "Rivers and water will play an important role to strengthen our relations with neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh."

Referring to the common rivers of India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Uma said, "We are very sensitive towards them."

Her remarks came a day into Bangladesh Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmood said that the Teesta river water-sharing deal may not be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi from April 7.