The bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka will commence soon, says Singh
The much-talked-about Teesta water sharing accord with Bangladesh would be finalised soon, Union Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh has asserted ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to Bangladesh on June 6.
Singh came up with the assertion on Tuesday after getting support of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had blocked the water sharing deal between India and Bangladesh four years ago, reports the New Indian Express.
“The Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh has already been decided and the Teesta deal will also be finalised soon. We are confident of getting full cooperation from Mamata Banerjee government,” said Singh.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, during her visit to Bangladesh in February had assured Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of a breakthrough on the issue.
The Teesta water sharing pact had been put on hold after Banerjee’s strong opposition over fears that the treaty could spell disaster for the northern part of West Bengal.
In September 2011, Banerjee had embarrassed then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by pulling out of his delegation to Bangladesh over the water sharing agreement, forcing India to drop it from the agenda.
Banerjee had stoutly opposed both — Teesta deal and the LBA — since 2011 arguing that they went against the interests of West Bengal. However, with changing political realities in India, her stance on both these issues has changed considerably.
Singh also said the bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka will commence soon.
“The trial run of the bus service between Kolkata and Dhaka is already complete. The service will soon be started,” he said.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
