India wants Bangladesh to be in a forum against China India is likely to offer a proposal to Bangladesh for water sharing of the River Teesta by involving two other neighbours- Nepal and Bhutan. Instead of reviving the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), that remained inactive for the last six years, India is going to propose a multinational river commission to settle the disputes over the river Teesta, Brahmmaputra and other rivers which originate from Tibet in China. India is also likely to propose certain provisions which can be followed at international level as a model for sharing cross-boundary rivers. The proposal, as it appears, is lucrative to Bangladesh which has on many occasions proposed for a regional approach on sharing of waters of the common rivers. However, diplomatic sources think that it was actually designed to put a collective pressure on China because India alone is finding it difficult to negotiate the issue with its big neighbour. The Teesta originating from Tibet flows down into two streams and join together in Sikkim of India, where it takes the name Teesta and flows downwards to Bangladesh. It is one of the major sources of the Himalayan waters in the northern districts of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the secretary level meeting on sharing of Teesta waters ended inconclusively in Dhaka last week. Both sides, however, announced that they would suggest reactivation of the JRC, which would be finalised during Bangladesh Prime Minister's ongoing visit to New Delhi. In response to Bangladesh's demand for water sharing of the Teesta, India will now try to convince Dhaka that the river was getting less water due to reduced flow at the upper region following diversion of waters from the source in Tibet. India has also reportedly prepared technical documents to show how the Teesta went reduced and fetching less waters, not sufficient for their cultivation in lean period. Meanwhile, Indian media and the intelligentsia have advised New Delhi not to put pressure on Hasina that she cannot agree due to her domestic compulsions. India wants the facility like use of Chittagong sea port and Ashuganj river port for carrying consignments to its land-locked north eastern states. "India will request Hasina for these two facilities, but would not be unhappy if Hasina disagrees at this stage" , the diplomatic sources said adding that India will not make any haste move but would wait for the convenient time. In response to Bangladesh's demand for reducing trade gap, India would send a delegation of experts to suggest for quality products so that such goods could attract foreign buyers. India is also going to offer technical support in overcoming agricultural problems in the south-western parts of the country, which is facing water-logging and salinity intrusion problems over the decades. India has already offered a $ 500 million package for development of rail and power networks, dredging of rivers so that Indian goods carryhing vessels could operate smoothly. Another $1000 million would be offered for a five-year period. On Tinbigha issue , India at this moment, will not agree to hand over the corridor to Bangladesh in compliance with the Mujib-Indira accord of 1973, but would allow the construction of power transmission line to the Bangladesh enclave of Dahagram, according to Indian media sources. If everything moves well, the two neighbours will sign three accords mainly on security considerations, which are very important for India. |
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