Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that Sheikh Hasina, one of India's strongest allies in its fight against terrorism, will not return empty-handed on her demand for a Teesta-solution. “I firmly believe that it is only my government and Excellency Sheikh Hasina, your government, that can and will find an early solution to Teesta water sharing,” he said.
Modi has been rather warm to his Bangladeshi counterpart, breaking protocol to personally receive her at the airport, travelling in normal traffic and spending time with Hasina's staff and Bangladeshi journalists. A total of 22 agreements were signed, re-affirming an old alliance that helped to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan. A joint statement was released saying both the countries would start negotiations on sharing waters of the Feni, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers. Five defence cooperation agreements including a $500 million line of credit for defence purchases from India, were also signed.
Foreign secretary S Jaishankar briefed the press saying, “The chemistry between the two leaders was very visible.” India also announced a $4.5 billion line of credit, for which both countries have already identified 17 new projects, including development of three ports, railway, and roads. “We want to build cooperation in new areas, especially some high-technology areas that have a deeper connect with the youth in both our societies,” Modi said.
The main attraction of Hasina's trip to India however, was her private dinner with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan. With Banerjee being the only obstacle to the Teesta agreement, the meeting was of grave importance. According to reports, Mamata suggested that since Bangladesh needs more water, both sides should explore water-sharing from other river systems in the region too, and not just from Teesta. Conveying fears that too much water from Teesta to Bangla, could leave North Bengal dry, the CM suggested to provide water to the neighbouring country from Torsha river instead. She also offered to provide electricity, claiming Bengal has excess electricity which could be sold to Dhaka.
“India has always stood for the prosperity of Bangladesh, we are a long standing and trusted development partner of Bangladesh,” Modi said in his statement. “While our partnership brings prosperity to our people, it also works to protect them from forces of radicalisation and extremism. Their spread poses a grave threat, not just to India and Bangladesh but to the entire region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's firm resolve in dealing with terrorism and her government's 'zero-tolerance' policy towards terrorism is an inspiration for all of us,” he said.
