Larger issues of cooperation on river resources and river-related issues were discussed during the ministerial-level meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint River Commission (JRC) held in New Delhi, India.
With the ministerial-level meeting, the 38th Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, led by the Water Resources Ministers of respective countries, concluded successfully on Thursday afternoon.
Beginning at around 1:00 pm, the formal ministerial-level meeting of the JRC continued till 3:30 pm at Sushma Swaraj Bhaban of the Indian capital.
"Larger issues of cooperation on water resources and water-related issues were discussed in the secretary-level meeting on Tuesday….the issues were also discussed in the ministerial-level meeting today," said official spokesperson of Indian ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi, reports BSS.
Zaheed Farooque, MP, State Minister for Ministry of Water Resources led the Bangladesh delegation which included AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem, MP, Deputy Minister and Kabir Bin Anwar, Senior Secretary among others.
Indian delegation was led by H.E. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Jal Shakti (Water resources) and Shri Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR attended the meeting among others.
The JRC meeting, held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, discussed the whole gamut of the issues related to the common rivers between the two countries specially the Ganges, Teesta, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Kushiyara.
Apart from this, exchange of flood related data and information, river bank protection works, common basin management, and also Indian River Interlinking Project were discussed in details.
The JRC meeting agreed to undertake some more common rivers for exchange of data and information towards preparation of the draft framework of interim water sharing agreement.
Bangladesh side requested for conclusion of the long pending Teesta Water Sharing Treaty at an early date. The Indian side assured of their utmost efforts in concluding the agreement.
State Minister of Bangladesh requested his Indian counterpart for his support in signing the MoU for withdrawal of water by Bangladesh and India from the common stretch of Kushiyara River at an early date.
The Indian Minister assured that the issue is under their active consideration. Both side agreed to conduct the feasibility study for optimum utilization of water received by Bangladesh under the provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.
The meeting held after a gap of twelve long years when the last meeting was held in 2010.
Prior to this Ministerial Level JRC Meeting, Secretary Level Meeting was held on Tuesday, August 23.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
