India is keeping an eye on Bangladesh’s Teesta River Development Project. China is helping in this project of Bangladesh. India has said that it keeps an eye on every such activity happening in neighboring countries and will take appropriate steps if needed. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that India has already conveyed its views to Bangladesh on all developments related to the Teesta river.
Last month, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman was on a visit to China. Now China and Bangladesh are jointly emphasizing on the comprehensive management of Teesta River. China has prepared a plan to build ‘China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CBMEC). Bangladesh seems to be ready for this scheme at present.
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Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs:-
‘We keep an eye on every development happening in our neighborhood and take appropriate action as per the need.’
What is India’s concern on Teesta?
Teesta River is important for both India and Bangladesh. 54 common rivers flow between the two countries. Only on Teesta, no water sharing agreement has been reached yet. India is concerned that if China participates in this project, it may have access to areas near the Siliguri Corridor known as ‘Chicken Neck’. India does not want this under any circumstances.
Sheikh Hasina gave relief, will Tariq Rehman increase problems?
Sheikh Hasina was in favor of better relations with India. Tariq Rehman’s stance, like that of his mother Khaleda Zia, is one of rivalry with India. He may lean in favor of China for his benefit. Before him, Mohammad Yunus, the patron of the interim government of Bangladesh, had also shown pro-China attitude.
What stance has India taken on Bangladesh?
In Sheikh Hasina’s government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about sending an Indian team for the conservation of Teesta river. India wants to help Teesta project in Bangladesh. Tariq Rehman wants to take this help from China.
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What are China’s intentions?
China is moving forward on building an economic corridor with Bangladesh and Myanmar and on the Teesta project. Bangladesh’s new Bangladesh National Party (BNP)-led Tariq Rahman government is inclined towards China. India clearly says that Teesta project will be monitored and decisions will be taken on that basis.
What is Bangladesh-China Teesta Project?
Bangladesh is running an ambitious project named ‘Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project’ on the Teesta River with the help of China, on which China will spend millions. Its objective is to find a permanent solution to the problem of annual floods and drought. Under this, there is a plan to dredge the river, construct new embankments more than 100 kilometers long, dredging and create a modern irrigation network.
Bangladesh has taken this decision due to the failure of the 2011 agreement on Teesta water sharing with India and its impact on agriculture. This project cannot be completed without India’s help. If India does not open the Ghazaldoba Teesta Barrage located on the Teesta River in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, then Bangladesh will not get water. Even though Bangladesh is calling this project its decision, but now China, along with Bangladesh, is presenting a new challenge to India.
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