Teesta Water Sharing Deal
Delay in signing treaty to create misunderstanding
Says Veena Sikri
(Sitting centre) Prof Veena Sikri and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique pose for a photo with participants at a certificate awarding ceremony of a special course on India Bangladesh Studies at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban. Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi; Central University of Sikkim, Gangtok; and Department of International Relations, Dhaka University; organised the programme.Photo: STAR
India and Bangladesh must start talks immediately on sharing of Teesta river water and sign a deal quickly, said former Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri yesterday. "We have to start talks immediately, not even waiting for two weeks…it is urgent because if the deal is not signed, it will create further misunderstanding,” she said. She was talking to The Daily Star after attending a certificate awarding ceremony at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University (DU). The Teesta water-sharing treaty was not signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka on September 6 as Paschimbanga (West Bengal) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee disagreed at the last-minute. The issue was widely criticised by Indian and Bangladeshi diplomats, media and experts. "Teesta deal should have been signed. We should not make politics out of why it did not happen. As it did not happen, let us immediately start talking,” said Veena. Veena, now a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, however, emphasised implementing the agreements signed. She also suggested formulating a foreign policy on the basis of national consensus so that it does not become a matter of conflict. It is also important that people of both countries understand each other so that those who might have doubts on various issues of national interests realise the interests of both countries, Veena said. The ceremony at DU was over a special course on India-Bangladesh Studies. Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi; Department of International Relations, DU; and Central University of Sikkim jointly organised the course from September 9-15. One part of the course was held in India and the latter in Dhaka, attended by 20 young professionals and students from the two countries. Addressing as the chief guest, DU Vice Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said the two countries share a common history of culture, politics and tradition which bind the people together. Such programmes for the young minds will surely strengthen relations between people and at diplomatic level, he said. Prof Arefin conferred the certificates to the participants. DU Prof Amena Mohsin spoke at the programme where participants Sajjadur Rahman and Manjima Haque of Bangladesh and Punam Pandey of India shared their views.
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