Why Bangladesh Is Looking Towards China For Teesta River Project
Sharing of the Teesta river water is a contentious issue between India and Bangladesh and the two countries have been holding talks to come to an agreement since 1983. Teesta flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal before reaching Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra. Bangladesh is discussing a nearly $1 billion loan from China for a management and restoration project on the Teesta river_ according toThe Indian Express. reports last week said that Dhaka has turned to Beijing for funding infrastructure projects. A water-sharing agreement was almost signed between India and Bangladesh during the visit of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka in 2011. The proposed deal was_ however_ called off after opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee_ according toANI. The issue was discussed again in 2015 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi s visit to Bangladesh and he assured Sheikh Hasina that the two countries could reach a fair solution on Teesta. Even in 2017_ Modi hadassured Dhaka of an early solution to the Teesta water sharing issue. India and Bangladesh share54 common rivers and have an agreement on the sharing of Ganga waters. Even on Teesta_ the two countries had reached an agreement in 1983_ according toThe Third Pole_ to share water during the lean pre-monsoon days. Under the two-year agreement_ Bangladesh would get 36% of the water during the lean season_ India would get 39%_ and 25% would remain unallocated. The agreement was only extended for another two years till the end of 1987_ it added. China has also announced a tariff exemption for 97% of Bangladeshi products effective from 1 July. This announcement was widely welcomed in Bangladesh_ according toThe Indian Express. China s trade with Bangladesh is now about twice that of India_ according toLivemint_ and it is the biggest arms supplier to the country. Business Standard pointed out the consequences of China s involvement in the Teesta Basin in Bangladesh. For India_ any Teesta settlement as a bilateral issue would be shadowed by a third party which can influence Bangladesh s approach to the negotiations. -source: huffington post
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