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Bangladesh-India Water Sharing Must Follow Int'l Norms: CA
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, has called for a resolution to the long-standing Teesta water-sharing dispute with India, emphasizing that continued delays benefit neither nation. In an interview with PTI at his official residence in Dhaka, Yunus stressed the need for the issue to be resolved according to international norms, highlighting the specific rights of lower riparian countries like Bangladesh.
“We must address this issue following international standards,” Yunus stated. “Lower riparian countries have certain entitlements, and Bangladesh is keen on asserting those rights.”
Yunus noted that prolonging the resolution serves no purpose. “Even if the outcome isn’t ideal, knowing how much water we will receive and formalizing an agreement would be better than indefinite delays,” he added.
When asked if the interim government would expedite the resolution of the Teesta water-sharing treaty, Yunus clarified, “It’s not about pushing but pursuing the matter diligently. We need to engage in discussions and find a resolution.”
The Teesta water-sharing agreement has stalled since September 2011, primarily due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who cites water scarcity in her state’s northern region.
“This issue is longstanding, predating even the current political climate. We have discussed it numerous times, and while the Indian government has shown readiness, the West Bengal state government has not. It’s crucial to resolve this,” Yunus remarked.
On the topic of recent floods in Bangladesh and the accusations against India, Yunus suggested a humanitarian approach to managing such crises until the treaty is finalized. “During my meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, I proposed better flood management strategies. Coordination between our countries doesn’t necessarily require a formal treaty,” he said.
“We can take humanitarian steps to alleviate the suffering of the people. Collaborative efforts on this front would be beneficial,” Yunus concluded.