New Delhi to take efforts to conclude Teesta Water Sharing agreement
India will take utmost efforts to conclude the much-talked-about long-pending Teesta Water Sharing agreement soon.
The assurance came when the Bangladesh delegation raised the issue at the 38th ministerial-level Joint River Commission (JRC) meeting between Bangladesh and India held in New Delhi on Thursday evening.
After a long gap, the Bangladesh-India JRC meeting was held ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit slated to take place early next month.
The meeting, which was held at the Sushma Swaraj Bhaban in New Delhi, also agreed to undertake some more common rivers for the exchange of data and information towards the preparation of the draft framework of the interim water sharing agreement.
Both sides also agreed to conduct the feasibility study for optimum utilization of water received by Bangladesh under the provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996, according to a press release issued here this evening.
Regarding the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the withdrawal of water from common stretch of Kushiyara river by Bangladesh and India at an early date, the Indian side assured that the issue is under their active consideration.
State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque led the delegation which includes Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem and Senior Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, among others.
The Indian Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat led the Indian delegation also attended by Water Resources Secretary Pankaj Kumar.
The meeting, held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, discussed the whole gamut of the issues related to the common rivers between the two countries especially the Ganges, Teesta, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Kushiyara, the release said.
Besides, the exchange of flood-related data and information, river bank protection works, common basin management, and also Indian River Interlinking Project were discussed in detail.
Prior to this Ministerial Level JRC Meeting, Secretary Level Meeting was held on Tuesday where the entire gamut of water related issues was discussed prominently.
Source: BSS
