Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Bangladesh has expressed concern over the ‘drastic fall’ in water flow of the Teesta River and sought steps to ensure adequate water flow on Bangladesh side.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, now in India on a three-day visit, discussed the issue with Indian Water Resources Secretary Alok Rawat on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary indicated that common rivers should bind the two countries together, according to a foreign ministry press statement.
Shahidul Haque also held separate meetings with Indian Commerce and Industries Secretary Rajeev Kher and Shipping Secretary Dr Vishwapati on the first day of his visit and discussed ways to strengthen ties with the neighbouring country.
He also put emphasis on greater people-to-people contacts for enhancing economic integration and regional cooperation.
During the meeting with the Indian Commerce Secretary, Haque raised the issue of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers and both sides stressed devising a sectoral mechanism in this regard.
Kher suggested identifying the tariff lines where such problems are encountered and then found out ways of addressing them.
At the meeting with Indian Shipping Secretary, both sides discussed ways to expedite focused bilateral dialogue for coastal shipping connectivity between the two countries and a delegation from India is expected to visit Bangladesh soon for this purpose.
Some steps for making the Bangladesh-India Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) more operational for enhancement of bilateral trade were also discussed.
The foreign secretary will have talks with his Indian counterpart Sujatha Singh on Thursday.
He will also meet Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon.
BBN/SSR/AD-20Mar14-11:46 am (BST)
