The Hindu : Bangladesh accepts India's position on river-linking scheme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 01, 2003

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Bangladesh accepts India's position on river-linking scheme

By Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI SEPT. 30. Bangladesh today accepted India's position on the proposed river-linking programme during the 35th Joint Rivers Commission meeting here today which lasted about 13 hours.

Addressing a joint press conference after signing the agreed minutes of the proceedings and the agenda, the Bangladesh Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmad, said that he accepted the assurance from the Indian side that the project was at an early stage and that India had not even discussed it with its States.

In answer to a question, he said the issue came to limelight through the speeches of the President and the Prime Minister of India mentioning the rivers-interlinking programme.

Quoting from the agreed minutes, India's Water Resources Minister, Arjun Charan Sethi said that, "both the sides agreed that India's proposed river-linking project was raised by Bangladesh to which India replied that the project was at conceptual stage and that there was nothing to discuss in the matter".

Both the leaders of the delegations said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere of give and take. The Bangladesh Minister said they had resolved all issues in a spirit of mutual cooperation. He has invited Mr. Sethi for the next JRC in Bangladesh. Asked if Bangladesh had sought a review of the Indo-Bangla Ganga Water Sharing Treaty of 1996, Mr. Ahmad said the meeting reviewed the implementation of the treaty and Bangladesh did seek a review of the treaty.

The other issues discussed were the review of the progress of the joint committee of experts on the Teesta. It was decided that the committee would submit its report by end of 2003.

On India's Tipaimukh dam project, Bangladesh stated its concern on a barrage at Fulertal for irrigation in Assam and Tripura, to which India said that any such project would be implemented after discussions with Bangladesh.

Mr. Sethi said there was consensus on all issues. There was no difference of opinion he said.

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