New York, Sept 21: Hailing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent visit to Bangladesh as “really successful,” Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina has expressed optimism that her country will be able to work out the Teesta water sharing agreement with India.
India and Bangladesh had inked various pacts during Singh's visit early this month but could not sign a deal on the Teesta water sharing.
Hasina said she was not disappointed that the two sides could not sign the Teesta water sharing deal during the visit. “I am not that much disappointed because I feel we can solve this problem (Teesta water sharing) bilaterally and I am very much optimistic about it,” Hasina, who is here to attend the 66th UN General Assembly, said at the Asia Society. She said Bangladesh and India have developed an interim plan on sharing water.
Hasina said she is confident that through bilateral negotiations, the countries can resolve any issue. Bangladesh “had a problem with India” on sharing of the Ganga waters but the countries resolved the issue and signed a 30 year treaty, she said, referring to the comprehensive bilateral treaty signed in December 1996 establishing a three decade long water-sharing arrangement.
On her country's relations with India, Hasina said the two share a common legacy through the legendary Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote the national anthems for both countries. With India, Bangladesh has a “friendship and bondage” and “we should continue that,” she said.
Expressing gratitude over Singh's generosity to agree to the establishment of connectivity of Bangladesh with Bhutan and Nepal, Hasina said this would help create a conducive atmosphere in the region. PTI
