Reflections on the PMs India visit
The Teesta water sharing issue is one that had been waiting for a nod from the Indians for quite some time, it continues to figure as an item on hold
Dr Anu Mahmud
Gone are the days of isolated development of a single country depending on its own efforts. Todays world is a global village where ones development creates the condition for the advance of the other(s). Growth in the present day world is an issue of going together. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina revealed the secret to todays development when, during her recent Delhi visit, she spoke of growing together for the collective future of India and Bangladesh.
It is very much in line with this sprit of mutual assistance for development that India and Bangladesh inked nearly two dozens of pacts comprising defence, infrastructure and civil nuclear cooperation. The Indian government also announced a new credit of US$4.5 billion for implementation of a host of projects in Bangladesh. Apart from these, more than a dozen agreements and memorandam of understanding involving nearly US$10 billion in the power and energy sector, manufacturing, transport and food processing sectors were exchanged at the India Bangladesh Business Forum where Sheikh Hasina invited Indian business houses to invest in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is ready to dedicate at least three special economic zones out of a 100 to likely investors from that country.
Bangladesh is no longer a basket case. Based on the present growth rate, it is expected to be the 29th largest economy in the world by 2030 and as such has many things to offer to foreign investors. Indian investors can avail themselves of the attractive package that Bangladesh is ready to offer including 100 per cent repatriation of profit and the invested capital. The Indian business community can take full advantage of Bangladeshs steady economic growth at the rate of nearly seven per cent per annum, high demographic dividend, cheaper business cost and a 160 million strong consumer base with 30 per cent of the population having the middle class affordability. Indian investors can also profit from the duty-free and quota-free benefits extended to Bangladesh by different countries.
Experts are of the opinion that the new deals signed with India, if properly implemented in time, will ensure optimum benefit for the country. Bangladesh has already been implementing some mega infrastructure projects that will boost the countrys economic growth, and if the benefits of the projects under the deals with India are added, the countrys development will surely progress leaps and bounds. But regrettably certain quarters are making sweeping comments against the India-Bangladesh deals without taking these prospects into consideration.
Investment In Power Private Sector:
Bangladesh-India private sectors sign 13 agreements, MoU in the power, energy, logistic, education and medical sector as part of the significant visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These were signed at such time when the much-awaited Teesta river water sharing agreement is remaining unsettled.
This was Prime Minister of Bangladeshs first visit to India after almost seven years. She has come to power in Bangladesh with a view to boost industrial development which will eventually develop our economy and emerge as a middle income country. Now, it is expected that some of the bigger investments by Indian companies will come in our power and energy sectors. Prime Minister also assured dedicated economic zones for Indian companies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister of India NarendraModi said that he is expecting more Indian private sector investments in Bangladeshs power sector including possibilities of joint ventures.
Now it is time to see how these collaborative efforts contribute to economical development of Bangladesh in upcoming days.
Bangladesh signed seven agreements and four memorandums of understanding (MoU) in power, energy sector and safe use of nuclear power with India.
The ministries concerned have signed agreements to import another 60MW of electricity from the Indian state of Tripura, 2200 tones of diesel from Numaligar, Assam, and two separate agreements on civilian nuclear cooperation with NorendraModis government.
However, the tariff for power import has been negotiated at Tk 6.1324 per unit. The government is now importing 100MW of electricity from Tripura in the same tariff rate. After the payment of tax, Dhaka pays Tk 6.45 per unit under no-electricity no-pay method.
The other agreement and MoUs are Facility Agreement between Bangladesh Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla), between Reliance Power for setting up 500 mmscfd LNG terminal at KutubdiaIsiand, between India Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for LNG Corporation and between Numaligarh refinery Limited (NRL) for sale and purchase of Gas oil. With the new import, Bangladeshs power import from India will stand at 700MW. The state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) signed an agreement to import 2,200 tones of diesel every month from Indias Numaligarh refinery through railway to meet demand of the fuel in the northern region of the country.
Bangladesh will build a cross-border pipeline for transportation of Indian diesel to Bangladesh. The BPC will take delivery of the diesel to Parbatipur inside Bangladesh, which would be transported by 50 wagons of Indian Railway.
Country also signed four non-bindingMoU on power sector cooperation with Indian private sector to import power from Nepal. A hydroelectric power project having the capacity to generate 500MW of electricity will be set up in Nepal with support from Indian firm GMR.
India and Bangladesh signed the agreements which said that the parties would have the option to renew the agreement for a fresh 40-year term.
Earlier, the Ministry of Science and Technology had signed a separate deal with said of this project through India-Russia-Bangladesh cooperation deal for successful implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project a tripartite deal with Bangladesh and Russia.
PM Terms Her India Visit Fruitful:
Terming her recent India visit fruitful, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said at a news conference on 11April,17 that, none will be able to obstruct water flow of the Teesta river into Bangladesh. The river water will flow into Bangladesh and we have to find a method to preserve the water. The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India have reached a new height following her just-ended visit to the next-door neighbor. I am very happy with my India tour. There is nothing to be frustrated as both the countries are equal in terms of respect. The visit has been fruitful. I have not returned home empty-handed. I have got something. I wanted water, but got electricity. This is also necessary for our country.
Nothing was done against the interest of Bangladesh. There is nothing to hide about the deal All will be able to know about the deals and the MoUs. Mentioning the BNPs defence pact with China, the Premier said she would not do anything, undermining the countrys interests. Sheikh Hasina does not sell the country, rather protect the interests. The usurper, who assumes office unconstitutionally, can do so in a bid to prolong power. All agreements with foreign countries are signed after the approval of the cabinet. So, these are open documents.
Responding to her government policy to maintain relations between India and China, she said Bangabandhus Friendship with all, Malice to None,is the guiding factor of her governments foreign policy. I am trying to comply with the policy word by word and establish good relations with every country. Bangladesh needs to have good relations with all countries for its cherished prosperity. I have not gone there for anything. I have gone there for friendship and I have got it.
The PM bitterly criticized a section of politicians for not raising voices during the construction of the barrage. Those crying for water now did not utter words during the construction of Gojoldoha barrage.
Indian PM clearly said the proposed Teesta deal would be signed during the tenure of the both the government. But West Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanarjee placed alternative proposal for giving Bangladesh water from four smaller rivers instead of Teesta. I have also given an alternative proposal to her. Let them take water to Teesta from small rivers and provide us water from the river. The water ministrys proposal for a Ganges barrage on Pansha River will be suicidal if it is constructed.
The business delegation accompanied during her India visit found their opportunities and trade partners. As many as 12 MoUs were signed under which huge Indian Investment will come to Bangladesh,
Mutually Reinforcing In Bilateral Relations:
There is no denying of the usual sensitivity that both countries experience in handling bilateral matters-often over-blown on real or perceived grounds. In this context, speculations, prior to the visit of Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi, were largely about the signing of a defence treaty and its possible outcome. That subject seemed to dominate public debate overriding a number of important matters of bilateral interest.
From Bangladesh perspective, some worrying issues the resolution of which is crucial, are still either on hold by the Indian authorities or are not at all implemented, though already agreed upon. The Teestawater sharing issue is one that had been waiting for a nod from the Indians for quite something, it continues to figure as an item on hold. Border killings are another issue that did receive due consideration from Indias highest level as condemnable acts but are still on and looks like going unabated. In this backdrop, it was too hazy to prefigure the outcome of the visit.
Now that the agreements and the MoUs have been signed between the two sides, it will be presumptive to comment on them at the time of writing this leader, without going through their text. Meanwhile, doubts on a number of issues have been dispelled. What has transpired so far does not shed enough light on as to how far some of the important issues and irritants that are yet to be resolved, would be dealt with, for a win-win bilateral relation.
Here, the absence of an agreement on the Teesta water sharing issue surely does not present a very promising picture. This is notwithstanding the fact that the two countries have otherwise taken, as reported in the media, a proper note of its importance. However, West Bengal Chief Minister, the person to decide on the matter, has reportedly made a counter-proposal for sharing water from other rivers in the region in which necessary amount of water is available.
As for trade and commerce, there were certainly talks about steps to help augment their flows both ways. This is a welcome development. But here, too, no clear message about addressing some critical trade-related barriers facing Bangladeshs exports has emerged.
Reportedly, discussion took place on border killings, too. All concerned would now look forward at this stage to find a clear direction on how India takes care of it once and for all.
Surely, things would have signaled well, had some of the key concerns of Bangladesh would have been addressed in a more focused way in the outcomes of the highest official-level meeting between the two countries. However, the warmth that has been demonstrated during the visit is otherwise stimulating. If both countries are able to carry the warmth forward, it should not be very difficult to find mutually reinforcing prospects in bilateral relations in the days ahead.
Teesta Water Sharing Key To Friendship:
Following the footsteps of his ancestors including especially DrManmohon Singhs the Indian Prime Minister NarendranathModi, has again assured Bangladesh Prime Minister that the issue will be resolved during the lifetime of her government.
On the other hand the West Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanarjee, who has been identified as key to resolving the issue has again refused to approve any such deal. Mamata Banerjee had earlier assured Bangladesh during her visit to Dhaka in February 2015 that people of Bangladesh should keep faith in her to resolve the long standing Teesta issue. Exchanging views with people she also used powerful words like Please keep faith in me, dont worry about it.
But this time she has told Bangladesh Prime Minister that there is no water in Teesta to share. However Bangladesh may consider using the waters of rivers like Torsa, Dharala, Jaldhaka, Dhansiri and Mansiri all within India. If necessary, the two sides can conduct a joint survey on the availability of water in the five rivers, she said making the issue further difficult. Hence in spite of the two Prime Ministers high hopes for the future, all efforts appear hanging in uncertainty.
Mamata has been consistently opposing the Teesta water sharing. She made her decisions public for the first time in September 2011, when the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came in a state visit to Bangladesh. Mamata not only opposed the Treaty, but even refused to come to Dhaka with Manmohan Singh. She blamed the central government for deceiving West Bengal with misleading water share and claimed since the Teesta was the life-line for West Bengals agriculture, her government would not support or approve any water sharing agreement. Mamata has been maintaining that stand since then and we expect Modis hope for Bangladesh that the Teesta issue would be resolved in the lifetime of Hasina government will come true. Water sharing of Teesta is the test of friendship with Bangladesh.
The writer is a member of the Bangladesh Civil Service
