State Minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day state tour to India has attained a big achievement through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on withdrawal of Kushiara river water by Bangladesh under the Upper Surma-Kushiara project.
He said, “The big achievement for Bangladesh is signing of a MoU on withdrawal of 153 cusec water from the Kushiara river (by Bangladesh),” while responding to a question about the outcome of Bangladesh premier’s on-going visit to India.
In a news briefing at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi about the Prime Minister's activities on the first two days of India visit, he said Bangladesh has to give nothing to India in exchange for it and relations between two countries never stand through giving and taking.
About the Teesta river treaty, the state minister said, “Bangladesh believes that the commitment of India will surely be implemented although it may take time. A momentum has been created with the signing of the MoU over Kushiara River water sharing and we will maintain it to help resolve the Teesta river issue.”
The foreign minister also said that India has given importance to the premier's ongoing tour. This will be visible if anyone goes through Delhi's streets (as posters on the Bangladesh premier and friendship between the two countries are there in large number) and Indian media's coverage on the issue.
Bd-pratidin/Ishrar Tabassum
