India-Bangladesh Ties: Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Friday responded to a question regarding Bangladesh's BNP-led government reviewing 101 agreements signed with India under the previous Awami League administration, saying India will take necessary actions.
"We also have seen some media reports on this matter, but nothing has been conveyed to us officially. Obviously, India will take all necessary actions to protect its interests," he said at an MEA press briefing in New Delhi.
MEA's reaction came days after the BNP government started reviewing 101 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with India during the Sheikh Hasina government. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Parliament Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said all 101 agreements were being reviewed. He said necessary decisions will be taken If any provisions in these agreements are found to be against Bangladesh’s interests.
Ganga Waters Dispute
On the sharing of the Ganga waters treaty between Bangladesh and India, Jaiswal said there is a joint river mechanism in place to discuss all water-related issues and technical-level meetings on water matters continue to be held.
Indian Envoy, Bangladesh Water Resource Minister Hold Meeting
Earlier, on September 13, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and friendly relations with Bangladesh Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, with the two sides highlighting their shared history, heritage and cultural ties.
The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, the ministry said in a statement. Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Anee and exchanged views on various bilateral issues, it said. They stressed the need to enhance cooperation and friendly relations and expressed their commitment to taking the existing relationship between the two countries to new heights, according to the statement.
The Indian High Commission, in a separate statement, said the discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral engagement to achieve the shared aspirations of the peoples of the two neighbouring countries. Neither statement, however, referred to pending water-sharing issues involving the two countries' common rivers or the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.
Water-Sharing Issue With Bangladesh
The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is set to expire in December this year. Water-sharing issues concerning the Ganges and Teesta rivers have remained important elements of India-Bangladesh ties. India and Bangladesh had finalised an interim water-sharing arrangement on the Teesta in 2011, but it could not be signed due to opposition from the then West Bengal government.
(With Agencies inputs)
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