File picture of the Teesta River in Sikkim. A water expert from Bangladesh says India should hold Bangladesh within the loop if any tasks require water storage and diversion of water, with the intention to keep bilateral ties.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
India should take Bangladesh into confidence earlier than going forward with hydel tasks on the Teesta river as that may assist in sustaining bilateral confidence, a number one water expert from Bangladesh stated. Speaking to The Hindu from Dhaka, Ainun Nishat stated studies that hydropower tasks had been being deliberate close to Darjeeling had added to Bangladesh’s considerations over “unilateral” strikes on the Teesta that would have an effect on the cultivation of meals crops within the northern area of the nation.
“India should share information about the projects that are being planned on the Teesta in West Bengal or in Sikkim. Depending on the case, Dhaka may not have anything to worry if run-of-the-river projects are planned on the Teesta, but if the projects require water storage and diversion of water, then Bangladesh should be informed as early as possible. As the lower riparian state, we deserve to know whatever is being planned in India on the river,” Dr. Nishat stated.
Dr. Nishat, who has been part of officials-level India-Bangladesh dialogue on water-sharing for practically half a century, stated Bangladesh is meals self-sufficient at current however continued disruption of the Teesta river due to canals and hydel tasks on the Indian aspect may disturb its agricultural sector, doubtlessly creating a number of ranges of disaster for South Asia.
Earlier, information studies from Dhaka stated Bangladesh was planning to protest in opposition to hydel tasks that the Government of West Bengal is reportedly planning close to Darjeeling. Mohamed Abul Hosen, a member of the India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission was quoted within the Daily Star as saying that “India did not inform” Dhaka of the tasks aimed toward rising irrigation in Jalpaiguri and close by areas.
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Dr. Nishat, nevertheless, stated that West Bengal’s resolution to use the Teesta’s waters via new hydel tasks couldn’t occur with out the cognisance of Indian’s Union authorities. “As far as we are concerned, we would talk to New Delhi when raising the matter… In my opinion, Delhi must intervene if it feels that such projects could undermine Indo-Bangladesh ties,” Dr. Nishat stated.
The response from Bangladesh got here in opposition to the backdrop of studies that the Government of West Bengal is planning to assemble three hydropower crops close to Darjeeling, for which 1,000 acres of land had been acquired.
Sharing of the Teesta’s waters has continued to function in bilateral negotiations although there was no headway on the problem. The matter had come up throughout the March 26-27, 2022 go to of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka, throughout which he had participated within the centenary celebrations of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Subsequently, throughout Sheikh Hasina’s September 5-8, 2022 go to, the 2 sides did not make any progress in sealing the settlement, though an necessary settlement on the Kushiyara river bordering Assam was introduced throughout the go to.
Mr. Nishat stated water-sharing is an emotive problem in Bangladesh, and it has been one of many oldest elements in India-Bangladesh ties requiring steady engagement. “Sometimes, it may not be possible to discuss such sensitive issues officially, and in such occasions, unofficial channels can be used to discuss the matter so that misunderstanding can be avoided,” he advised.
