China blames India for delay in its Teesta river project in Bangladesh

New Delhi: While India continues to dither and hold off on signing the Teesta river waters sharing agreement with Bangladesh, China has become desperate to get the US$ one billion contract for the alternative Teesta river water management project from Bangladesh.

If Dhaka allows Beijing to take up the project, it will send a negative message to ‘trusted ‘ friend India before the general elections in Bangladesh, which are scheduled to be held in early January 2024.

After visiting Mohirpur in the Teesta river catchment area in Gangacharas sub- division of Rangpur District, the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said in an open forum that, “If the Bangladesh government is really determined to do it, China would take it under very positive consideration. But there is also some information which indicates there might be some hesitation from the Bangladesh side because of outside pressure.” He did not name India directly.

However, according to informed sources, given China’s reputation with a host of projects in South and South-East Asia, Dhaka is actually worried about the conditions that come along with the loan for this project. That is among the main reasons for delaying the decision on the Chinese proposal.
Due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, India has not been able to finalise and complete the Teesta river waters sharing agreement with Bangladesh.

During her last visit to New Delhi, In September 2022, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the Government of India to sign the agreement before the general elections in her country. It has become much more of an emotive issue for the Bangladeshis than the issue of actual sharing of waters.

The Bangladesh Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started a vigorous campaign against the Hasina Government on many issues including not being able to convince India on the Teesta deal.
A section of the Awami League Government is pushing the establishment to do the deal with China to develop the Teesta catchment area, with a water reservoir and other dredging works to improve the flow of the river.

“China is ready to support Bangladesh in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management Project, only if Bangladesh is determined to engage it,” said Li, its envoy to Bangladesh, adding that “China is cautious about the project due to the geo-political sensitivities surrounding it.”
The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh was responding to questions after a discussion on the 20th congress of the Communist Party of China.

“I think the most important factor (for this project) is not technology, not money, but the determination of the Bangladesh government. If it (Bangladesh) says it is determined to do so, China will be there”
Earlier, while visiting the Teesta river catchment area, Li told journalists that a feasibility study was completed a long while ago. “We are now waiting for the signing of an MOU between Bangladesh and China. Only then we will begin the work.”

—INDIA NEWS STREAM