Speakers at a roundtable on Sunday stressed that good relations between Bangladesh and India should be used in resolving water dispute with the neigbouring country.
“The good relations Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has with India should be used to prevent India from taking disastrous projects like Tipaimukh Dam and Tran boundary rivers-link projects,” said Dr SI Khan, former environment and water expert at the United Nations.
He was presenting a paper at the roundtable ‘Water Sharing of Trans-boundary Rivers: Bangladesh & India Context’ organized by Shata Nagorik (Committee of hundred citizens) at a city hotel.
Former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) teacher Prof Dr Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Dhaka University teachers AFM Yusuf Haider and Asif Nazrul, water expert Dr Towhidul Monowar Khan , among others, spoke at the discussion.
It was presided over by Shata Nagorik president and former DU Vice-chancellor Dr Emazuddin Ahmed.
Dr SI Khan said if Bangladesh fails to resolve water dispute with India through negotiations, it should take the issue to the UN and the International Court.
The speakers also stressed the need for initiating a greater movement in unison with the people of different Indian states including Assam and Manipur who are opposing the water projects.
They also demanded that India compensate Tk 300 billions every year for massive damage it is causing to Bangladesh by withdrawing water through the projects.
Source: UNBConnect
