Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that both India and China have shown interest in the Teesta project, but she said she wants India to complete the project. She made these remarks while addressing questions from journalists upon her return from China.
The Teesta River Development Project, valued at one billion dollars, raised India's security concerns. The completion of this project by China could have posed a significant challenge for India. When Sheikh Hasina visited India in June, this project was discussed prominently.
The 414 kilometer-long Teesta river flows from India to Bangladesh. China's growing influence in South Asia has long been a matter of concern for India.
Both India and China have influence in Bangladesh, but the Sheikh Hasina government is said to be closer to India.
There are many shared rivers between India and Bangladesh, which originate from the Himalayas and meet in the Bay of Bengal.
Strategic experts consider Sheikh Hasina's decision on the Teesta river project very important. This project of about one billion dollars was very sensitive for India because it is like a chicken-neck. It is a matter of relief for India that this project has gone out of the hands of China.'
Sheikh Hasina said, ''I want India to complete this project because the water of Teesta comes through India. If we want water from them, then India should do this work. Whatever is needed in this project, India will be able to provide it.''
Sheikh Hasina said, ''Our southern Bengal has been ignored a lot. I have asked China to develop the southern region. It is difficult to work there due to backwardness. I have divided the work. By doing this, our work will be easier. I will be able to work properly.''
Sheikh Hasina said that she wants friendship with everyone.
What is the Teesta project?
In June, Sheikh Hasina talked about the possibility of obtaining easy loans from China for the Teesta project. Concurrently, in May 2024, during the visit of India's Foreign Secretary to Dhaka, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud informed reporters that India expressed interest in extending financial support for the Teesta project.
In such a situation, the question is what exactly is the Teesta project? Under this project, works like controlling floods, preventing erosion and reclaiming land are to be done. Under this project, a barrage is to be constructed in the Bangladesh part.
At many places, the width of the Teesta is five kilometers, it will be reduced. At some places, the depth of the river is also to be increased and the embankments are to be strengthened.
Through this project, the difficulties of the people living in the coastal areas will also be reduced.
The Teesta agreement was to be signed during the visit of the then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh to Dhaka in the year 2011. But due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it got stuck.
In 2015, a year after coming to power at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took Mamata Banerjee along on a tour of Bangladesh. There he assured of reaching an agreement on sharing of Teesta water.
But despite 10 years having passed, no solution to the Teesta problem has been found till now.
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