Bangladesh, India discuss water sharing issue

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dipu Moni discussed water sharing issue with the Indian leaders on an official state visit to New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister along with her delegation met Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal to discuss matters concerning the issue of water sharing.

Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Dipu Moni said that the talks were fruitful and she was hopeful that India and Bangladesh would soon consider a mutual consensus regarding water-sharing issue.

Both the leaders discussed the controversial Teesta River water sharing issue and the problem arising out of the proposed Tipaimukh dam in India's northeastern Manipur state.

"here are several issues regarding water between the two countries. The most debated among them is of course the Teesta Agreement. We have discussed regarding it and we are hopeful that it will be fruitful," said Mani.

"Secondly, we have talked about Tipaimukh and if everything works out, then an Indian delegation will come to our side and we can take them to Tipaimukh and brief them about the situation there. India has repeatedly given its assurances to us regarding Tipaimukh and we had a discussion over the issue ," she added.

Moni further said all the leaders assured her that Bangladesh would be consulted before India initiates to take any step regarding the Himalayas River.

"Talks were held regarding the interlinking of rivers project with India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukhjerjee assuring us about it, during his visit to Dhaka. Mr. S. M. Krishna as well as Mr. Chidambaram has also assured us about it. Mr. Bansal has assured us as well," said Moni.

"This thing is not taking place among the Himalayan components and if any such thing happens with the rivers of the Himalayan components, since we are the lower recipient states, they would not do anything without consulting us at the first place," she added.

Moni added that though she hoped for a treaty to be signed between the two countries at the earliest; however it was for India to take the decision on the matter.

"Well that is an internal affair for India to work on. In Bangladesh we are waiting eagerly for this interim treaty to be signed. And we hope that it will be done sooner rather than later," she said.

Dipu Moni ended her three-day long official visit to India today. (ANI)