India expressed concern over Teesta river cooperation with Bangladesh, what did China say?

Beijing. Despite India’s concerns, China has reiterated its support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) and stressed that its cooperation with Bangladesh should be free from any third party influence. “I want to emphasize that China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party and should be free from any third party’s influence,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing. He said this while answering a question related to India’s serious concerns.

This project is related to livelihood – China
The Teesta Basin is very close to India’s north-eastern region, which is the main reason for Bharti’s concern over the Dhaka-Beijing joint initiative. Whereas China has called it a livelihood related project which is very important for Bangladesh. Jiyakun said that comprehensive management and restoration of Teesta River is a livelihood project which Bangladesh attaches great importance to. China is ready to make every possible effort to support this project.

What did Bangladesh say?
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said that experts from both the countries will conduct a technical feasibility study for the project for the first time. The minister further said, “Both sides have agreed on this, whereas last time the matter was not at this stage. China has said that it will provide all possible support to this project as the feasibility study justifies it.”

Bangladesh and China have reached an agreement to enhance cooperation in the management of Bangladesh’s rivers, including the Teesta. India will closely monitor any announcement related to the Teesta plan. In January this year, Bangladesh Water Development Board and China’s state-owned Power China signed a memorandum of understanding to take the Teesta project forward.

What are India’s concerns?
India’s concerns are about China’s involvement, as the river is very close to the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor. Any expansion of external influence in the region, especially China’s presence, could increase India’s security concerns and pose a strategic risk to the corridor that connects India’s northeastern part with the rest of the country.