Editorial
Mamata let-down most unfortunate
Trust in negotiation process diluted
To say that Mamata Banerjee's absence has disappointed us is to greatly understate our feelings. The frustration runs far deeper. The hopes we had nurtured about her participation in Indo-Bangla talks have been dashed.
The welcome with which her electoral victory was greeted in Bangladesh and the friendly feelings that she exuded to Bangladesh on her triumph is now more than equally matched by our disappointment at her impetuous behaviour. We are taken aback by the turn of events and feel wronged.
It has been repeatedly articulated by New Delhi that the Paschimbanga Chief Minister has been regularly consulted on the Teesta water sharing treaty. At least three meetings were held between her and Shiv Shanker Menon alone, leaving aside consultation at lower levels.
For the Trinamool Congress leader then to say that she was left out of the negotiations does not cut much ice with policymakers in Bangladesh. What really was irksome was her timing of deciding to drop out of the trip. Her last moment action has cast a dark shadow over the whole trip. It has had dramatic negative impact on a trip that was so eagerly being looked forward to by both the government and the people of Bangladesh.
Mamata Banerjee's action amounts to a big let-down for Bangladesh and an insult to the Indian Prime Minister. If a neighbouring country cannot depend on the negotiation it undertakes with New Delhi, and then sees it being scuttled by a state government, then what value will future negotiations have? We would like our apprehensions for the future to be proved wrong there.
In all, Mamata's action is most unfortunate, and will leave, we are afraid, a serious negative impact on Bangladesh-India relations.
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