By Ashis Biswas
While prospects for improving Indo-Bangladesh relations have brightened following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with his Bangladeshi counterpart Ms Hasina Wazed on pending issues, working out the Teesta river water sharing arrangement may take some time.
A strong indication to this effect was available in a section of Bangladeshi media recently. In an interview to a Dhaka-based website, former Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Ms Veena Sikri pointed to a significant difference between the steps proposed for the Teesta river and the existing arrangement for sharing the water of the Ganga between India and Bangladesh.
Referring the Ganga water sharing treaty as a positive example of solving an issue, she pointed out that the two countries had shared important data about the Ganga river collected over a period of 40 years. But no such steps had been taken relating to the Teesta river. She stressed the importance of such an approach to clear any possible confusion
Bangladesh might feel it was not getting enough water, but it must know how much was available and why there were also occasional floods. Ms Sikri, who visited Bangladesh to attend a summit of High Commissioners of both countries, felt both countries should arrange a joint hydrological survey and work out the water sharing issue in a scientific manner. There would be no progress if both sides only stuck to their stated positions and a possible solution could be worked out through negotiations.
The Teesta issue is more important to Bangladesh than India.. Its failure to clinch a deal with India before the Bangladesh general elections on January 5 this year had cost the ruling Awami League dearly. A proposed agreement was scuttled at the last minute as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to endorse the proposal. She did not accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a trip to Dhaka, causing India great embarrassment. The Congress Government stand was that the agreement of concerned state governments had to be secured before the country could finalise such an issue with its neighbour. Nobody had any idea that she would effectively torpedo the proposed deal in this manner.
Ms Banerjee’s argument was that she needed more time to know how much water would be available for West Bengal. The state had been shortchanged in the Ganga water sharing arrangement, in her view. She would not allow any repeat of this with the river Teesta. Following her stand, an expert committee was set up to study the flow of water in the river and it has submitted its report. It has not been made public.
Ms Banerjee also opposed, along with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the mutually agreed arrangement between Bangladesh and India which would have allowed an exchange of the enclaves(territories) in each other’s area.
With Mr, Modi taking over as the new Indian Prime Minister, the situation has improved for Bangladesh. Well placed diplomatic sources indicate that Mr. Modi envisages no difficulty in persuading Assam and Bengal over the proposed exchange of enclaves as agreed earlier between the two countries. He had asked for some time on the Teesta water sharing issue, hoping to persuade Ms Banerjee.
The sources added that while responding to Mrs Wazed’s invitation to visit Dhaka, Mr,. Modi indicated that he would not like to go ’empty handed’ — signalling his intent to carry some positive news for Dhaka on the pending issues.
According to informed sources, Mr, Modi may support the idea of a joint hydrological study for the river Teesta. He may simultaneously ensure, without undue publicity, that Bangladesh got a good share of the water. As for seeking Ms Banerjee’s agreement, unlike Dr Singh, he would not wait indefinitely for her consent. If necessary, he would go ahead overruling her stand, explaining the country’s national commitment to the people.
In recent weeks, Ms Banerjee’s motive in opposing the Teesta river accord has been questioned by her opponents including the Congress, the Left Front, the BJP and other parties, in the context of strong allegations of a suspected Trinamool Congress-Jamat-ur-Mujahideen link. The JUM is an Islamic extremist organisation banned by Dhaka and its cadres now have set up the new Al Jihad group, enjoying the direct support of Al Qaeda. The new Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is the international head of the Al Jihad, a transnational group active outside India as well.
Startling details of the penetration made into West Bengal by the JUM members escaping from Bangladesh became known only after the Burdwan house blast on Oct 2, which killed two JUM members. It led to the arrest of three hard core terrorists including two women, who had been trained in Bangladesh and Afghanistan terror camps. Over 180 JUM cadres are suspected to have moved into India through Assam and West Bengal.
Most JUM members so far arrested by the National Investigation agency from Bengal admitted having received all help regarding setting up their shelters and terror labs like the Burdwan house, almost invariably from panchayat or local leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress !
A Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP was allegedly linked with the outlawed Jamat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, involved in financial dealings and other activity. Bangladeshi media reports, highlighting his activities reported that he had been banned from visiting Bangladesh ever again.
These developments and the near total silence of its highly vocal leader Ms Banerjee on such matters have certainly weakened the position of the Trinamool Congress in the national political arena. It remains to be seen to what extent Ms Banerjee will be able to continue her opposition to pending deals between an Awami League ruled Bangladesh and a BJP ruled India. (IPA Service)
