Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma has said that the recent release of water into Bangladesh was an "automatic release" triggered by the high water levels caused by heavy rainfall within its territory.
He made the statement during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Thursday.
Following the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media, sharing this information.
The high commissioner described the flood in Tripura as something “very unprecedented,” causing displacement of 50,000 people. He said it has created havoc on both sides of Bangladesh and India.
During the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus proposed forming a high-level committee between Bangladesh and India to manage floods jointly.
He said if a high-level committee is formed between Bangladesh and India, both countries will be able to manage severe floods jointly by holding meeting of the committee.
During the meeting, Dr Yunus referred to the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, noting that it has been functioning for many years.
The chief adviser said since Bangladesh and India have common rivers, such initiative will help address the flood situation in both the countries.
He hoped that disputes over water-sharing of trans-boundary rivers would be resolved soon.
At the meeting, Pranay Verma expressed concerns regarding the safety and security of Indian establishments in Bangladesh including its High Commission in Dhaka.
Quoting the chief adviser, Shafiqul Alam said that security measures have already been intensified in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone to address these concerns.
In addition to security issues, the high commissioner discussed the goal of shared prosperity between the two nations, reaffirming India’s strong belief in a prosperous and stable Bangladesh.
“We believe in a strong and prosperous Bangladesh. We are really looking forward to working together,” Press Secretary Alam quoted the high commissioner as saying.
During his introductory meeting with Prof Yunus, the envoy reiterated India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh to fulfill shared aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and India for “peace, security and development.”
They exchanged views on issues of shared interest and discussed avenues to further strengthen people to people ties.
“It was a very cordial meeting. They (India) want more positive engagements (with Bangladesh),” Alam said, quoting the high commissioner.
Minority issues were also discussed at the meeting.
Prof Yunus had earlier said that the reports of attacks on the minorities have been “exaggerated” and invited Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report from the ground on the issue.
The chief adviser told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government is committed to safeguarding every citizen of the country including the minorities when Modi raised the issue during a telephone conversation.
At the meeting on Thursday, the chief adviser also talked about BIMSTEC and Saarc, and laid emphasis on bringing young people together in South Asia.
Prof Yunus also talked about his personal good relations with India where he has many friends. Yunus Center is operational in 18 Indian universities.
He also talked about a world of three zeros – the new economics of zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions.
