Breakthrough on Teesta water sharing on cards as Hasina’s visit begins on June 21

A breakthrough on ‘Teesta river water’ treaty is expected during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to New Delhi on June 21-22.

Whether a formal memorandum of understanding will be signed or not is not clear so far.

According to sources, the treaty might find a reference in the joint statement. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is yet to give consent on the issue

Realising this opportunity, China has jumped in to finance billion dollar “Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project”, which will build reservoir to store rain water in the catchment area.

India has expressed its concerns about the involvement of China in the bordering area. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Dhaka and informed that India is keen to help Dhaka to take up this project.

Apart from focus on some key issues in bilateral relations that have regional geopolitical significance solving imbroglio over Tessta will be one of the major issues to be discussed.

The Economic Relations Division of Bangladesh sought a $983.27 million loan from China to implement the Teesta project, which includes river dredging, setting up reservoirs and building townships along the river.On October 13, 2022, then-Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said his country was serious about implementing the project, but also had a sense of reluctance due to sensitive issues surrounding it.

During the visit to Dhaka on May 9, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud that India was interested in financing the Teesta project.On June 13, Hasina told the parliament that the government was considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for the Teesta project as China’s evaluation pointed out that there was a lack of detailed proposals on land development and water navigation.

“Our government needs to know whether India would sign the Teesta water sharing agreement because the river restoration and management project would depend on this,” said a dilomat.

There was a proposal to create a consortium with both India and China. Now, it all depends on how south block responds to the proposal. A diplomat in New Delhi said the two prime ministers will also discuss the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that was signed in 1996. The treaty is set to expire in 2026.

Other issues such as water, port and defence will also be discussed. For the implementation of Indian line of credit project under a new framework will also be high on the agenda of the bilateral talks as Bangladesh grapples with a crunch in foreign currency reserves.

India is keen to manage the Mongla river port, which is crucial for better connectivity between Kolkata and India’s north-eastern states, said a diplomatic source in New Delhi. India has shown interest in managing Mongla port as it aligns with the country’s broader strategy to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.

India is also keen to develop an alternative network of railway routes through Bangladesh to connect its northeast with the rest of the country. This would reduce India’s reliance on the existing route through Siliguri.

“Detailed negotiation on such projects is needed to know whether Indian trains will run on Bangladesh’s territory and whether Bangladesh’s trains can use India’s territories,” sources said.

According to sources, India may in principle approve the supply of electricity from Bhutan to Bangladesh using its power grid.India is also likely to push for defence equipment sales to Bangladesh under the $500 million line of credit.Bangladesh will seek smooth supply of essentials like wheat, sugar and onions from India.

The two leaders may also announce the launch of formal negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), said Bangladesh foreign ministry sources.
Bangladesh and India are likely to sign over a dozen of bilateral instruments with some new initiatives by identifying new areas of cooperation during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s state visit to India on June 21-22, officials have said.
This will be the first full-fledged bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its government for the third consecutive term.
This will be Hasina’s second trip to the Indian capital in less than 15 days. She was among the dignitaries invited to Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on June 9.
Additionally, discussions on a potential trade pact are expected.
Bangladesh says India is a friendly country and Bangladesh does not compare the Dhaka-Delhi relations with anyone else. “India stood beside us during the War of Liberation in 1971. Our relationship with India is multifaceted. We share borders with India. We are supportive of each other,” Hasan Mahmud said.
A flight from Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying PMHasina and her entourage will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday at about 2 pm, according to the sources in the Foreign Ministry.
The flight will land at Palam Airport, New Delhi at about 4 pm (Delhi time) where high-level dignitary of India and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman will welcome her.
In the evening, Minister of External Affairs of India S Jaishankar will call on her at the Meeting Room of her Place of Residence, Hotel Taj Palace.
On Saturday morning, a red carpet will be rolled out at Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by her Indian counterpart through a ceremonial reception where the National Anthems of Bangladesh and India will be played. She will also inspect the Guard of Honour.
After that, she will go to Raj Ghat to pay tribute to the father of the Indian Nation Mahatma Gandhi by placing a wreath at his Samadhi. She will also sign the visitor’s book there.
Later on the same day, Sheikh Hasina will go to Hyderabad House to hold a tete-a-tete with Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed by delegation-level talks.
Both will witness the signing ceremony of the MoU and agreements.

After that, both the Prime Ministers will give their press statements. Then they will attend a Banquet Luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister of India in honour of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House.

In the afternoon, PM Hasina will call on the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at his Secretariat.

In the evening she will call on the President of India Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

At 6 pm, the prime minister will depart from Palam Airport, New Delhi on a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and will land in Dhaka at about 9 pm. – INDIA NEWS STREAM