PM likely to leave for Delhi Dec 18
2 dozens of bilateral instruments likely to be signed; Teesta breakthrough unlikely
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
No major breakthrough with regard to Teesta water sharing agreement is expected during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India from December 18 to 20, government sources have told The Independent. The prime minister and her delegation is scheduled to leave the capital on December 18 morning and will return in the afternoon of December 20, multiple sources confirmed while talking to this correspondent. The time of official talk between Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi is yet to be fixed, they said, adding that the talk will take place either in the afternoon on December 18 or the next day. Both Dhaka and New Delhi are still working on the details of the visit, said the sources.
Earlier, when the news of Prime Ministers visit to India came into public domain, people were led to believe by various sources that there might be a breakthrough regarding Teesta water sharing agreement, which was supposed to be signed in September, 2011 during former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhs Dhaka visit, but could not be signed due to the last minute objection of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
However, a few days back, the sources appeared skeptical about any breakthrough regarding Teesta, There are many more issues between Bangladesh and India other than the Teesta deal, a senior government official, who is very familiar with the bilateral issues, told The Independent.
Of course, we will talk about Teesta as well as water-related issues including joint basin management, he added.
I dont see any sign of signing the deal. If it (Teesta) is signed during this visit it will be a miracle, said another competent source.
The sources also said that both the countries are working on signing about 50 agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols during the prime ministers visit.
When asked how many will be signed, they said that it depends how many of them can go through in the days before the visit.
Efforts are being made to outnumber the deals that were signed during Narendra Modis visit to Dhaka in June 1015, when 22 were inked, said the sources.
I would not be surprised if the number of bilateral instruments that will be signed exceeds 25, said an official.
The bilateral instruments that are expected to be inked include cooperation in the areas like peaceful use of nuclear energy, trade, commerce and other issue of mutual interest, said the sources.
On the bilateral talk between the two prime ministers, the entire range of issues including border management and security cooperation will be discussed between the two Heads of the government, they said.
While in India, the prime minister will call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and is likely to pay a visit to Ajmeer Sharif, said the sources.
She will also initiate the process of honouring Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during Bangladeshs War of Independence in 1971, they said, adding that in the first phase seven soldiers are likely to be honoured. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said yesterday it is expected that fruitful talks will be held between the two prime ministers regarding issues concerning both the countries. Speaking at a programme on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Indias recognition of Bangladesh as an Independent country organised by Ekattorer GhatakDalal Nirmul Committee at the CIRDAP auditorium, he also said the Bangladesh-India relationship has reached a new height and through this visit it will become even deeper through taking new initiatives.
Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the present warm relationship between Bangladesh and India is the reflection of the spirit of the War of Independence in 1971.
