India takes Teesta issue seriously
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT, Dhaka
India has assured Bangladesh of an early resolution to the Teesta water-sharing issue after the issue was raised at the 5th meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) between the two neighbouring countries. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured her Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen that India has taken up the issue with serious intent and will work for early resolution of the Teesta water-sharing deal.
The pledge was made as Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen requested Sushma Swaraj to resolve the issue of water-sharing of all common rivers, including an early resolution of the Teesta water sharing problem. Foreign minister Momen also sought Indias cooperation for an early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
In response, Sushma Swaraj assured Bangladesh the Foreign Minister of Indias continued support for safe, speedy and sustainable return of the displaced people to Myanmar.
The statements were made during the conclusion of the 5th meeting of the JCC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan in New Delhi, said a press release.
She expressed appreciation for the humanitarian gesture of Bangladesh in supporting a large number of displaced people from the Rakhine region of Myanmar.
Dr Momen conveyed the gratitude of government of Bangladesh for the humanitarian assistance provided by India in four tranches since September 2017 to help meet the requirements of the displaced persons from Myanmar.
Following the talks, the two ministers witnessed the signing of four MoUs between the two neighbouring countries. The MoUs include the training in India of mid-career Bangladesh servants, co-operation in the field of medicinal plants, co-operation in dealing with anti-corruption issues and facilitating investments in the Indian Economic Zone in Mongla. The discussion between the two ministers was held in a very warm and cordial atmosphere.
The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction that both countries were working more closely in every sector, from security and border management to mutually-beneficial trade and investment flows, power and energy, river water sharing, development partnership, transport connectivity, culture and people-to-people contacts.
They have welcomed the fact that the relationship was now broadening to include the Blue Economy, cyber security, outer space management, new and high te
chnology areas for partnership, such as space, nuclear energy, IT and electronics. Momen has emphasised that economic diplomacy is emerging as a foreign policy priority for Bangladesh. He noted that resource mobilisation for achieving the SDGs and the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation for developing countries, where India could play a crucial role. In her opening remarks, Sushma Swaraj said that trust and partnership were the bedrock of understanding between India and Bangladesh.
She made it clear that both countries were two of the fastest growing economies in the world and India stood by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and would extend unstinted support to Hasinas development agenda. The Indian external affairs minister was upbeat that Bangladesh-India bilateral ties were scaling new heights and going through a Shonali Oddhay (a golden phase).
Momen highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Hasina and Prime Minister Modi, the relations between the two nations had reached an unprecedented height. Sushma Swaraj hosted a lunch in honour of Momen and his 21-member delegation visiting India. The Indian minister of state for external affairs, general (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (retd.), was also present at the lunch. The 4th Joint Consultative Commission was held in Dhaka in October 2017.
