Talks on Teesta water to continue for acceptable solution: Manmohan
Amid frustration over leaving the Teesta water sharing agreement unsigned, visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday assured that both the countries continue discussion towards an acceptable solution.
"We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair, and amicable arrangement for the water sharing of the Teesta and Feni rivers", he said, making a press statement upon official talks with her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister's Office last evening.
Recognising the problem of trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh, he announced duty-free access of Bangladesh's 46 apparel products to Indian market.
He said India has embarked on a series of measures to improve border infrastructure, which will facilitate Bangladesh's exports to India and provide it greater opening to India and other neighbouring countries. "We are addressing issues relating to non-tariff barriers together with Bangladesh".
India is committed to assisting Bangladesh in its development efforts and thus will supply bulk power to Bangladesh by connecting the national grids, he said. "We will assist in the setting up of a joint venture power plant of 1,320 megawatts in Khulna".
He also informed that projects worth over US$ 750 million under the US$ 1 billion credit line announced last year have been identified for implementation.
On longstanding issue of Tin Bigha corridor, Dr Singh said steps have been taken for ensuring 24-hour access to the enclaves of Dahagram-Angarpota through the Tin Bigha Corridor.
The Indian PM said by signing of a protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974, both our countries have now demarcated the entire land boundary as well as resolving the status of enclaves and adversely possessed areas.
He termed the framework agreement signed by him and Hasina as a contemporary blueprint designed to encompass all forms and sectors of cooperation.
Manhoman Singh also lauded Bangladesh's advancement and said he is deeply impressed by the changes that have taken place since his first visit as PM in 2005. "Bangladesh economy is doing well, and the socio-economic transformation of Bangladesh is proceeding rapidly".
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