-
It was nearly done so in 2011, during then prime minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee played spoilsport, saying that it might lead to a water scarcity in her state. Water, in India, is a state subject
Will the Teesta water sharing agreement be inked during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, scheduled from April 7 to 10? Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay dropped a hint on Thursday when he said that, "it will be a landmark visit. Both sides are attempting to make it significant."
Bangladesh, which has supported India in isolating Pakistan in the subcontinent, is keen that the water sharing agreement is formalised. It was nearly done so in 2011, during then prime minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee played spoilsport, saying that it might lead to a water scarcity in her state. Water, in India, is a state subject.
The Teesta river originates from a glacier in north Sikkim and flows through the state and into West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. It is a major source of water for Bangladesh, and the country is keen to have portions sorted out, so that it can plan for its lean, non-monsoon months.
Mamata Banerjee had subsequently mellowed. In 2015, when she was in Dhaka, she said that she would play a positive role. But the relations between her and PM Modi had taken a turn for the worse, especially after the demonetisation drive. Is hectic parleying underway and will it have a positive outcome?
Hasina's trip had to be postponed twice, as mandarins at her end felt the climate wasn't right for a positive outcome. The heat of the keenly contested elections in five states also pushed back her visit further.
MEA bureaucrats remained vague about the visit not materialising, citing various reasons like a non-availability of mutually convenient dates. At one point, MEA even said that a small window had opened in December, but since Hasina was also keen on visiting the dargah at Ajmer, the logistics would not work out.
Though the details of Hasina's tour will be spelt out only closer to the date, the buzz has already started. Hasina last visited India for a bilateral in January 2010, though she did visit India last year for the BRICS meet in Goa. She also came for the funeral of President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra in August 2015. The two had close personal bonds.
