Thaindian News

Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) Accepting that the non-signing of the Teesta river water sharing pact between India and Bangladesh was a “setback”, a Bangladeshi diplomat here Friday, however, exuded confidence about the conclusion of the deal.

Though the Teesta treaty could not be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Dhaka visit, the renewed efforts by Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and the cooperation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will surely result in signing of the accord, said Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, the deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata.

Rahman was speaking at an interactive session on “Dynamics of Indo-Bangla Relationship” organised by Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS) and the Bengal Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the 40the anniversary of Bangladesh liberation.

He also said that with the Kalyan Rudra Commission, set up by Banerjee to find out an acceptable solution to the Teesta water issue, expected to submit its report to the state government by the end of this month, the accord may see the light of the day next year.

The deal for water sharing of Teesta river, which flows from north Bengal to Bangladesh, could not be clinched during Manmohan Singh’s Sep 6-7 visit to Dhaka due to Banerjee’s opposition. She argued that she had not been shown the draft of the treaty.

Describing the bilateral relations, one with India and one with West Bengal, as two-dimensional, Rahman said the relationship between the two countries though “topsy turvy” has been eventful in the last three years.

He also said the volume of the bilateral trade will go up after 46 textile items were made excise-free by India earlier, a step which will also help Bangladesh improve its balance of trade.