Dhaka University International Relations department Professor and security analyst M Shahiduzzaman said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now only hope for the people of Banglades for an agreement on Teesta River.
The professor who is also a popular figure on TV talk shows made the remark in an exclusive interview with Jago News.
He said that the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India is significant.
“Prime Minister Sheik Hasina’s upcoming visit to India is a historic tour for many reasons. The foremost iseesue is Teesta agreement, he said.
Referring to impact of Teesta, he said that it’s a do or die situation for Bangladesh’s people.
“The northern part of this country is becoming dessert. The farmers are suffering a lot due to water crisis in the river,” he said.
Regarding a claim of India that they also face water crisis in their country, he terms this untrue.
“They are breaching international law through this kind of remarks. According to international law, no countries can barriers natural flow of rivers. Bangladesh signed that law. India is all set to sign the law”, he said.
About the premier’s position in the talks with her counterparts during the visit, the professor said: “Sheikh Hasina should take strong stance for Teesta agreement during her tour. Bangladesh needs to submit a lot of data-documents to the India. Two former Indian premiers gave hope to Bangladesh for signing Teesta agreement. Even, Indian incumbent Prime Minister Narendro Modi also gave his commitment to Teesta agreement during his Bangladesh visit in 2015”.
Regarding Bangladesh’s assistance to India to handle their separatist groups of north east India, he said that the Bangladesh premier has already assured to India that no one can use Bangladesh’s soil for conducting any terrorist activities.
“Intelligence branch of both countries is commuting information to prevent any security lapses. Indian military is alert in the north east region,” he said.
(The article originally published in Bangla edition of Jagonews24.com is written in English by Zobaer Ahmed)