Sharing Water of Transboundary Rivers

Call for 'sincere diplomacy' to convince India

15 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Sharing water of transboundary rivers properly is related to social and economic development as well as human security, speakers said at a discussion yesterday. They also emphasised the need for 'sincere diplomacy' to convince the 'mighty neighbour India' to work together in river basin management. They also said that the past governments have discussed the issue with India for years without any fruitful result. The Bangladesh Institute of International Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the panel discussion on 'Management of Water Resources and Water Security: the Case of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) River Basins' at its auditorium. Mentioning China's initiatives to construct dams and divert water of Brahmaputra as a matter of concern for both Bangladesh and India, the speakers said that India, for the first time, has realised the problems facing a lower riparian country like Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest, Mohammed Mijarul Quayes, secretary to the foreign ministry, underscored the links between water resource management and water security. He called for changes in the mindset in order to enhance cooperation among the countries of the GBM region. Mentioning different plans of actions adopted at different regional forums, including SAARC summit, the secretary said collective efforts are needed to make the best use of natural resources for common interest. Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, emphasised the need for political will to open water governance in South Asia. Dr Ainun Nishat, vice chancellor of BRAC University, identified the implementation mechanism as a challenge in water management for Bangladesh. Maj Gen Muhammed Firdaus Mian, chairman of board of governors of BIISS, chaired the session. Maj Gen Golam Mohammad, director general of BIISS, delivered the welcome speech. The panel discussion was followed by an open discussion where foreign dignitaries, government officials, academicians and civil society members gave their opinion.