[🇧🇩] India's Water Terrorism Against Bangladesh

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BNP: Indications of a changed foreign policy
Maruf Mullick
Published: 22 Feb 2025, 13: 53

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BNP's march to save the river Teesta. At Teesta road bridge in Kaunia, Rangpur. Prothom Alo

BNP held a programme with a difference. It held sit-in programmes in 11 places of 5 districts in the north, calling for the river Teesta to be saved. The dry season is on now and Teesta is near dead. The BNP leaders and workers set up canopies on the sandy banks either side of Teesta and held a public meeting for the protection of the river. Throughout the day people talked among themselves, listened to the leaders speak. It was a programme quite unprecedented in nature.

BNP has taken several initiatives in the past to protest the country's rivers and the environment. We have seen that from the very outset of the party. BNP's founder, President Ziaur Rahman, went around the country and excavated or restored 26 thousand km of canals. When Khaleda Zia was prime minister, she banned the use of polythene and three-wheeler baby taxies in the country.

While the other parties are sitting in Dhaka squabbling over whether the national election or the local government elections should be held first, BNP went to the common people. BNP is likely to continue reaching out to the people with such programmes.

The programme this time, 'Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai', aimed to protecting the river Teesta, reminded one of BNP's environment-friendly stance. The liberal social democrats or centre-leftists of the world always place importance on the environment and nature in their political programmes. BNP too has always given importance to the environment.

But these recent 'save Teesta' initiative was no simply about protecting the environment or the river. It was a matter of politics. This gathering delivered a message to the government, as well as to India and China. BNP made its strategic stand clear regarding the protection of Teesta. Firstly, it came before the people of North Bengal with an issue involving public interests. Teesta is intractably linked to the lives and livelihood of the people in the north. India has always deprived Bangladesh of Teesta's waters. By holding back the river's waters during the dry season, it transforms the entire North Bengal into a dry expanse of desert. Then in releases the waters in the monsoon, flooding the region and creating havoc and disaster. The people of North Bengal simmer in fury.

Taking this anger into account, BNP sat and spoke in North Bengal. Along with the people there, they demanded that the river Teesta be protected. They said they would fight to bring in Teesta's waters. BNP said that, if necessary, they would raise the issue of Teesta at the United Nations. They referred to President Ziaur Rahman's speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 regarding Farakka barrage and the withdrawal of Ganges' waters. That put pressure on India and later the Ganges water sharing deal was signed with India.

This 'save Teesta' sit-in programme was an indication of the nature of BNP's future foreign policy. After 5 August, many among Jamaat-e-Islami and the students criticised BNP for the cautious stance it had adopted. It was being said that BNP is displaying a soft stance towards India. But during the 'save Teesta' programme, BNP took up a stern stand and openly criticised India. They said in no certain terms, Teesta water must be given, the border killings must be stopped. They called for an end to the Big Brother attitude. There will be friendship, BNP leaders said, but hinted that if necessary, they would review the foreign policy of 'friendship towards all and malice towards none'.

At the gathering, BNP demanded the implementation of the Teesta mega project. However, they pointed out, it would not be possible for this mega project to be implemented without an elected government. BNP did not mention it directly, but it is common knowledge that China has a mega project with Teesta. India has all along being opposing this. BNP made their stand in favour of this mega project clear. That indicates a possible revival of old friendship between BNP and China. That means that BNP is returning to its original foreign policy.

It was learnt that thousands and thousands of people turned up at the gathering on the sandy banks of the river Teesta. BNP held quite a large public gathering in this region, alongside the 'save Teesta' programme. While the other parties are sitting in Dhaka squabbling over whether the national election or the local government elections should be held first, BNP went to the common people. BNP is likely to continue reaching out to the people with such programmes.

In this one gathering, BNP did many things. It called for the election to be held as soon as possible. It sternly castigated India. It declared its commitment to implement the Teesta mega project, thus taking gaining China's confidence. It also held a colourful festival of the lives and culture of the people in the north. There had been news over the past few days of cultural programmes being shut down in various parts of the country, but by holding the vibrant cultural fest on the banks of Teesta, BNP stressed that as the largest party in the country, it would have contribution and support of cultural activities in the country.

BNP has answered and is answering the criticism that has been aimed at it over the past six months. The political parties should give more attention to national security and national issues rather than this war of words. Politics have changed. People want to see something new. And BNP displayed this new trend in its 'save Teesta' programme. Rather than just spewing out meaningless criticism against India, it raised specific issue of bilateral significance. This gathering gave indications of BNP breaking away from the conventional political mould.

  • Dr. Maruf Mullick is a writer and political analyst
  • This column appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Ayesha Kabir
 

Teesta project: China to get the job if BNP voted to power
Says Moyeen Khan in China

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Photo: collected

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan yesterday told a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that if his party is elected to power in the next election, it will sign an agreement with China to implement the Teesta River water management project.

"Chinese ambassador in Dhaka has recently made a clear proposal to assist us in developing a project for managing the water of Teesta River," he said during a meeting between a Bangladesh delegation and CPC Deputy Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee Xing Shanping.

Dr Moyeen said the Chinese envoy had sincerely made the offer for the welfare of thousands of people living along the riverbanks.

"On our behalf, I tell you that if the people of Bangladesh elect us to government in the next election, we will be very happy to sign a deal to receive your support in developing a complete Teesta Barrage," he said.

The BNP leader also mentioned that the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, told him he would personally visit the Teesta Barrage area.

The delegation, led by BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, attended the meeting and later joined a banquet hosted by the CPC leader at a hotel in the province.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the 21-member delegation, consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, travelled to China for an 11-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Dr Moyeen said the current government is not taking the Teesta project since it is a transitional administration.

"A stable government will be established through the polls, which will be able to sign the deal and execute the project," the BNP leader told the meeting.

Dr Moyeen also hoped that China would continue supporting Bangladesh in modernising its agriculture and irrigation systems, alongside its cooperation in infrastructure development.

He mentioned that an increasing number of Bangladeshi students are pursuing higher education in China, particularly in science, technology, and modern disciplines, to contribute to national development.

The BNP leader hoped that China would offer more scholarships and enhance student exchange programs to facilitate quality education for Bangladeshi students.

About trade, he said China can supply high-quality essential items at affordable prices to meet the needs of the Bangladeshi people.

In response, CPC Deputy Secretary Xing Shanping reaffirmed China's strong commitment to its ties with Bangladesh, describing the country as a valued neighbour.

She said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China have strengthened based on mutual cooperation and respect.

The CPC leader assured that China would continue its assistance for Bangladesh's development and the welfare of its people.

"We want to deepen our bilateral cooperation further in the days to come," she said.

She also expressed China's keen interest in investing in various sectors in Bangladesh, including agriculture, clean energy, education, science and technology, and infrastructure development.​
 

Bangladeshi delegation visits Farakka ahead of water-sharing talks

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Farakka Barrage. File photo

A team of Bangladeshi experts and officials from the Joint River Commission with India today visited the Ganges at Farakka ahead of talks between the two countries in Kolkata for the renewal of water-sharing treaty of the trans-border river.

The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Md Abul Hossen, member JRC and Md Abu Sayed, director of JRC from Bangladesh side, visited the joint discharge observation sites at Farakka barrage in West Bengal's Murshidabad district which regulates the flow of water to Bangladesh under the bilateral treaty of 1996. The term of the 30-year accord ends next year.

The team, which reached Farakka soon after arriving in Kolkata from Dhaka, will visit the joint inspection sites tomorrow before returning to Kolkata on March 5 for the two-day India-Bangladesh joint committee meeting to be held Hyatt Regency Hotel on March 6 and 7.

The JRC was set up in 1972 to discuss sharing of common rivers.

The bilateral Ganges water-sharing agreement was signed on December 12, 1996 by the then Indian Prime Minister HD Devegowda and former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.

It was during Hasina's official visit to New Delhi and talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June last year that the two sides decided to launch negotiations by the joint technical team for a fresh accord on the Ganges water-sharing.​
 

Bangladesh, India hold JRC meeting in Kolkata

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Officials of Bangladesh and India yesterday held the 86th meeting of the Joint River Commission in Kolkata where they discussed the pros and cons of renewing the 30-year-old Ganges water-sharing treaty which comes up for renewal next year.

This was the first meeting of the JRC on the sharing of the trans-border river since the change of government in Bangladesh on August 5 last year.

Today's meeting formed a technical committee and set up broad parameters on which the future of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, signed in December 1996, would depend, sources in both sides said.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Md Abul Hossen, a member of JRC.

The technical committee comprising hydrology experts from both sides will meet tomorrow to carry forward the discussions.

The JRC meeting took place after the officials and experts carried out a survey for two days of the current status of the flow in the Ganges at Farakka.​
 

Interim govt should start Teesta Master Plan implementation: stakeholders
BSS
Published :
Mar 10, 2025 21:17
Updated :
Mar 10, 2025 21:17

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Local stakeholders at a views-sharing meeting in Rangpur have demanded to begin implementation of the Teesta Master Plan project with the country’s own funding during the interim government’s tenure.

They said that implementation of the proposed Teesta Master Plan project should be inaugurated during the tenure of this interim government to save the livelihood of the two crore people of the Teesta basin, the lifeline of the north.

They came up with the opinion at the meeting with stakeholders on the proposed Teesta Mega Plan project for integrated management and restoration of the Teesta River at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner on Monday afternoon.

Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, representatives of Water Development Board (WDB), Power China, leaders involved in the river protection movement, political leaders, victims of the Teesta floods, and media personnel attended the event.

At the beginning, Power China’s consultant engineer Md Mokbul Hossain presented a documentary on the proposed Teesta Master Plan project. Later, the stakeholders participated in the discussion.

Power China’s Country Manager Han Kun, Rangpur metropolitan BNP convener Shamsuzzaman Samu, district BNP convener Md Saiful Islam, its member-secretary Anisur Rahman Laku, environment activist Faridul Islam, central committee member of the State Reform Movement Kanak Rahman, Rangpur metropolitan convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Imtiaz Ahmed Imti, its district convener Imran Ahmed, Shamsur Rahman Sumon of Begum Rokeya University’s Riverine Club, Sohanur Rahman of Green Voice and local journalists spoke.

They demanded that all the parties affected by the Teesta should be heard. The corporate institutions that are occupying the Teesta should be removed, they said, adding that the Teesta should be freed from encroachment.

At the meeting, Chief Engineer of the Northern Rangpur Zone of the Water Development Board Md Mahbubur Rahman said that in addition to the video recording of the speeches of the participants in the meeting, all the suggestions are being noted.

“All of this will be presented to the Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Only then a final outline of the implementation of this project will be made,” he said.

Power China’s Country Manager Han Kun said that the Teesta Master Plan project will not have any impact on the geopolitical context because it is a commercial project, it will benefit people and will not be harmful to the environment.

“We have come to implement the project on the Teesta River at a time when the people here have lost their land and property. That is why we have come to listen to the people here,” he said.​
 

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