The seventh Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue has concluded with positive reports from both sides.
Speaking about the draft treaty on sharing waters from the Teesta river, the prime minister’s international affairs adviser said no more negotiations are necessary as both countries have already agreed the terms and that it is now just a matter of arranging a time for signing.
The session chair, MJ Akbar, a spokesperson of India’s ruling BJP, said that since last year’s historic Land Boundary Agreement, what was once unachievable and unthinkable in Bangladesh-India relations has now become achievable.
This is reflected by the healthy progress being made on building connectivity and energy links and increasing co-operation in improving security and combating terrorism.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary is right to highight the importance of building better bilateral relations as a pre-requiste for ensuring regional stability and growth.
The BBIN motor vehicle agreement is a good example of the foundations being laid to improve connectivity that can grow mutual trade and build people-to-people links for all countries in our region.
A timely signing of the Teesta treaty is important to help cement the good progress that is being achieved in improving bilateral relations.
The water sharing treaty is essential to help reduce some of the detrimental impacts on Bangladesh caused by the Gajoldoba barrage and India’s diversion of water flows.
As with the LBA, overcoming the obstacles which have delayed the implementaion of treaties on water-sharing, can only benefit both our nations.
It will not only encourage more goodwill but help open the way for further improvements in bilateral relations.