Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday announced firm plans to implement the 'national priority' Teesta Barrage Master Plan at 'any cost', according to a Times of India report .
The announcement comes days after Bangladesh and China agreed to work on the management of Teesta and other rivers, most of which flow from upstream in India, and Beijing stressing their “cooperation does not target any third party”.
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Tarique visited China last week, where Beijing extended unwavering support to the nation, “no matter how the world changes”.
Clarifying on the stance of Teesta project cooperation and its impact on India, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “I would like to stress that China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party.”
“Government is committed to resolving the country’s longstanding water management challenges through major investments in rivers, canals and irrigation infrastructure,” Tarique said, as quoted by TOI.
The prime minister added that water remains one of the most pressing concerns for people in the Rajshahi and Rangpur regions — bordering India’s northeast region — and “we are working relentlessly to address these problems”.
Tarique highlighted that the BNP govt has initiated plans to build the Padma Barrage as excess water during the monsoon would be stored and utilised during the dry season for agriculture.
Xi backs Bangladesh
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed Beijing's backing for Dhaka in upholding its sovereignty and "rejecting foreign interference", as he met visiting PM Rahman.
Rahman held talks with Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying during which the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Teesta river management and other river projects.
The Teesta river basin is located near India's Siliguri Corridor, a 22-km narrow strip of land that connects the mainland with the northeastern states. Since the Teesta river flows from the eastern Himalayas through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, China's involvement in the river management can potentially complicate Dhaka-New Delhi ties for its strategic significance.
Inside Bangladesh, the water body serves as a key source of irrigation and livelihoods for millions of people.
However, Beijing chose to play down such concerns.
In the regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun had said, “The comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of the Teesta River is a livelihood project the Bangladeshi side attaches high importance to.”
"China is ready to do what it can to support this project. I would like to stress that China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party and should be free from third party influence", he said, without naming any country.
(With inputs from TOI, PTI)
