Dhaka: Bangladesh believes that the issue regarding the sharing of Teesta waters will be resolved, now that the BJP has come to power in West Bengal.
Leaders from Bangladesh, including those from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have, for long, blamed Mamata Banerjee for holding up the Teesta water-sharing agreement.
The BJP’s victory could help restore smoother ties between West Bengal and the Bangladesh government, Azizul Baree Helal, the BNP’s information secretary, said.
The political shift may pave the way for improved cooperation and a more stable bilateral relationship between Dhaka and Kolkata, he added, as reported by News18.
“Actually, previously we saw that Mamata Banerjee was actually the impediment to establishing the Teesta Barrage. Now, in my opinion, since the BJP won the election under Suvendu’s leadership, the Teesta Barrage agreement
– which was very much desired by the Bangladesh government and the Modi government – will be finalised,” he said.
“We (BNP and BJP) have a good relationship. Ideologically, we are different, but on some issues, we are very much united-like the Teesta Barrage and the general relationship between Bangladesh and India. On an issue basis, we are united, even if ideologically separated. I think with the new government in West Bengal, our relationship will be accelerated more and more,” Helal said.
The absence of a formal water-sharing treaty has led to a decade-long diplomatic stalemate of the Teesta Barrage Project – a critical multipurpose water system serving West Bengal, and northern Bangladesh. Centered around the Gajoldoba Barrage in Bengal and the Dalia Barrage in Bangladesh, it aims to provide irrigation and hydropower to millions.
The Teesta remains unregulated, while the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty governs water sharing at Farakka.
A breakthrough seemed possible in 2011 when a draft agreement proposed allocating 37.5% to Bangladesh and 42.5% to India. This was blocked by the West Bengal government, which argued that diverting water during the lean months (December-May) would devastate north Bengal’s agricultural interests and its 9.22 lakh hectare irrigation goal.