Bangladesh’s U-turn after BJP’s victory in West Bengal, said – now will increase relations with China, not India

New Delhi: Immediately after the change of power in West Bengal, neighboring Bangladesh has issued an important statement. Bangladesh has said that it will no longer wait for India to finalize the Teesta Agreement which has been pending for years. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said these things in a statement on Tuesday. He said that Bangladesh can no longer wait for India to finalize the Teesta Agreement and hence it will turn to China.

Bangladesh will not wait for India

According to a report in Daily Star, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister called this agreement very important for his country. Khalilur Rahman is going to go to China soon. Speaking to the media before his official visit to Beijing, he said that the Teesta project will be on the agenda of talks in China. Bangladesh can no longer wait for India to finalize the Teesta Agreement.

What did Rehman say about BJP government?

This statement of the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister has come at a time when BJP is about to form the government in West Bengal. Responding to questions about BJP’s victory, Rehman said, the government has not been formed in West Bengal yet. It is up to them to tell what they think or do. It is not my job to read his mind. We cannot sit idle, we have to do our work.

What is the dispute over Teesta river?

Talks have been going on between the two countries regarding Teesta river for a long time but no agreement has been reached yet. Bangladesh wants an equal share in the river but the West Bengal government opposes it. When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came to Bangladesh in 2011, an attempt was made to resolve this issue. Under a plan, about 37.5 percent water of Teesta will be given to Bangladesh and 42.5 percent water will be given to India. This proposal could not move forward due to opposition from Bengal.

The agreement was signed in 1983

There was a temporary agreement between the two countries in 1983, under which 36 percent water was to be given to Bangladesh and 39 percent to India. The matter of the remaining 25 percent was to be resolved later. This agreement was not fully implemented. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in 2015, Bangladesh was hopeful that a solution would be found but no agreement was reached. India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers but there is agreement on only two, Ganga and Kushiyara. There is a dispute regarding the distribution of water of the remaining rivers.

Will ask for help from China

In view of the delay in Teesta Agreement, Bangladesh in 2019 "Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project" Started and sought help from China during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Beijing. Rahman has once again talked about seeking help from China. According to reports, Rehman will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during this three-day visit.

During this visit, Bangladesh will seek help in Teesta Agreement and loan from China at low interest rates. Bangladesh will also seek investment from China. Chinese investment had slowed down after the rebellion in July but the new government now wants to speed it up. Describing Bangladesh as its close neighbor and strategic partner, China has expressed its desire to further strengthen relations.