Mamata-Mathai Talks
Teesta 'on agenda'
Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai yesterday held talks with Paschimbanga Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on bilateral issues relating to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
Both Mamata and Mathai, however, declined to speak to the media on what transpired at the half-an-hour meeting between them.
"The chief minister was kind enough to receive me. We discussed all issues relating to some of our neighbouring countries and the discussion was useful and fruitful", this was all Mathai told reporters in Kolkata after the meeting.
Mamata, for her part, merely said, "I tell you it was a routine meeting" when asked if the Teesta water-sharing treaty issue with Bangladesh figured in the talks.
The foreign secretary refused to comment when asked if the Teesta river water treaty issue was discussed with the chief minister, but said "regional cooperation" came up in the talks.
She had earlier written a letter to Manmohan Singh saying that a large quantity of water from the Farakka Barrage was flowing into Bangladesh because of two damaged sluice gates and urged him to take action.
Mathai referred to the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) meeting "which relates to better linkages between these four countries".
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